Whether canning, freezing or dehydrating — preserving foods at home is a great way to use up produce, build food storage and even launch a business. MSU Extension can help you learn how to be safe by following research-based recipes and processing methods.

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Preserving food by canning or freezing may be a practice that goes back for generations, but anyone preserving foods at home needs to have the most reliable and current information available. Michigan State University Extension is a trusted source for research-based information and education on proper home food preservation methods and approved recipes.canned-lisatreiber web

MSU Extension offers food preservation programs as both online and in-person sessions. These classes cover a wide variety of topics, from water bath canning to blanching and freezing to making jam and jelly to preserving many Michigan grown vegetables to pickling to preserving venison and much, much more.

Live online sessions are offered weekly through most of the year. In-person food preservation sessions are held at various times/locations around the state. Click the Events tab above to see what classes fit your schedule.

Another learning option is an Online Home Food Preservation self-paced course that teaches people of all skill levels how to safely preserve foods. This course is done at your convenience from your home. To learn more about our offerings, please visit our events calendar to find upcoming food preservation programs that fit your schedule. 

Have a question?

Do you have questions about safely preserving food at home? Whatever your question, MSU Extension’s food safety experts can help. Call our Food Safety Hotline at 1-877-643-9882, Monday-Friday from 9AM to 5PM, EST.


"I’m experienced with food preservation, but I don't know it all and am looking to stay up-to-date or correct what I do. Michigan is a resource I thoroughly enjoy participating in. You make research-based preservation non-threatening, logical, SAFE and high-quality."- Online preserving mi harvest participant

 

"I canned tomatoes in the past and I have learned that the method I used is outdated." - online preserving Mi harvest participant

 

"This workshop gave me confidence to start canning at home."

- online preserving mi harvest participant

Impacts of MSU Extension's Preserving MI Harvest Home Food Preservation educational programs:

90%

of participants understood the importance of only using research-based recipes.

Over 20,000

participants have attended a Preserving MI Harvest Home Food Preservation session since 2020

94%

of participants are confident in their knowledge of safe home food preservation methods

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