When I moved to urban living I wanted to be more self-reliant. We started raising our own chickens and have a small rabbitry that we spent last year establishing and feel that i am doing well in learning the ins and outs of raising some animals. Now I'd like to learn to can and preserve and make my own bread etc. I know there are books and such but I do so much better learning hands on. I have found a homestead school in the midwest and may go for a long weekend but was wondering if anyone knows of classes on canning and such that I could take local or does anyone offer classes to others
Need help learning to can and preseve
- Thread starter dddct
- Start date
patandchickens
Crazy Cat Lady
No chance you could turn up a relative, neighbor, bored elderly woman living nearby, or someone from church, who would like some help with canning next summer? That is probably the best way to go if you want hands-on. It's a win-win situation - they get help and company, you get to learn the ropes.
It is REALLY VERY easy to learn to can, pickle, do jams, etc from a book though. Truly. *Totally* not rocket science. Just try it!
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
It is REALLY VERY easy to learn to can, pickle, do jams, etc from a book though. Truly. *Totally* not rocket science. Just try it!
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
Beekissed
Mountain Sage
Now....could you maybe tell us where you are located? You never know when a SS member may live next door! 
SKR8PN
Late For Supper
Try your local county extension agent. They are a wealth of information, and for a canning guide, I will highly recommend you get your self a copy of the Ball Canning Book. It is invaluable when it comes to cooking times and recipes.
- Thread starter
- #6
I'm in CT. I would love to ask family and friends for help but they all think I'm nuts. My boss even calls me farmer jane now ( and my name is Diane lol)
I would love to perhaps host a group of ladies to come and we could have a day of fun but I personally don't know anyone who is trying to live more self-sefficiently. I am embarrassed by the fact that I can't even make homemade bread. I have a ton of eggs and would love to pickle some but don't know how and the thought of doing it wrong and someone getting sick makes me nervous.
I would love to perhaps host a group of ladies to come and we could have a day of fun but I personally don't know anyone who is trying to live more self-sefficiently. I am embarrassed by the fact that I can't even make homemade bread. I have a ton of eggs and would love to pickle some but don't know how and the thought of doing it wrong and someone getting sick makes me nervous.
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- #7
keljonma
Epicurean Goddess
Here is the link to the Ball website.
http://www.freshpreserving.com/pages/home/1.php
There is a lot of information out there. This is the site for The National Center For Food Preservation.
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/
http://www.freshpreserving.com/pages/home/1.php
There is a lot of information out there. This is the site for The National Center For Food Preservation.
http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/
patandchickens
Crazy Cat Lady
Start with jams or with vegetable pickles. It is pretty near impossible to kill anyone with those 
Seriously!
Pat
Seriously!Pat
Henrietta23
Yard Farmer
Hi ddd, I recognize you from BYC! I'm in eastern CT. I've learned to can over the years by reading reading reading and just jumping in! I started with strawberry jam.
Same thing with bread, I just found a basic recipe and tried it. Out here in the Mansfield area I have seen adult ed. classes in bread baking. Maybe there's something like that in your part of the state?
Same thing with bread, I just found a basic recipe and tried it. Out here in the Mansfield area I have seen adult ed. classes in bread baking. Maybe there's something like that in your part of the state?
