If you enjoy preserving food, volunteering, and helping your community, the Master Food Preserver volunteer program may be for you!
What is a Master Food Preserver Volunteer?
A Master Food Preserver is a South Dakota-based volunteer who helps extend SDSU Extension's food preservation mission of providing established and trusted research-based information and education to communities across the state. The program is open to South Dakota residents looking to increase their knowledge on home food preservation methods. Volunteers receive extensive training on safe home food preservation practices, research-tested recipes, and up-to-date USDA food preservation regulations. While prior food preservation knowledge is not a requirement, volunteers must be willing to learn and share knowledge and skills learned during the training through community outreach.
Examples of community outreach from SDSU Master Food Preservers include:
- Classes and workshops
- Hands-on demonstrations
- County fairs
- Staffing displays at events and farmer's markets
Program Details
Cost: $150
Eligibility: Must be a South Dakota resident
Components
The process to become a Master Food Preserver volunteer has three components:
- Complete online coursework related to food preservation and general nutrition education, at your own pace.
- Attend a live virtual training session. The previously mentioned coursework is to be completed prior to attendance at this training.
- Display successful completion and demonstration of the knowledge, skills, and abilities of safe food preservation practices through two hands-on homework assignments.
Training Topics
The Master Food Preserver Volunteer course and training topics include:
- General canning principles
- Canning equipment
- Acid foods
- Acidified foods
- Low acid foods
- Freezing foods
- Drying foods
- Dehydrating equipment
- Teaching and program implementation strategies
Master Food Preserver Volunteer Expectations
Once an individual has successfully completed the course components, the Master Food Preserver is considered an intern until 30 hours of give back volunteer hours are completed. Once the hours are complete, the individual becomes a Certified Master Food Preserver Volunteer. To maintain certification, volunteers must log 20 hours of service and training every year. Training opportunities will be shared throughout the year.
Program Interest Form
If you are a South Dakota resident and interested in participating in the Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program, please submit your information using the form below, and we will contact you with more information.
