How to Apply
- Potential trainees are required to watch the online information session. After viewing the online information session, you may attend an optional Q&A session listed below if you have additional questions.
-Friday, October 17, 2025: 2:00–3:00 pm (register here)
-Thursday, November 20, 2025: 6:30–7:30 pm (register here) - Complete and submit the online application by the end of Sunday, November 23, 2025. Interviews will be conducted during the early weeks of December with the local programs.
- There will be a brief, friendly interview before acceptance to make sure your expectations are met and questions are answered.
- Pay the $220 fee to cover the cost of books, apron, lab materials and ingredients, room reservations, etc.
Class Information
- The training program is a combination of pre-recorded videos, online quizzes, reading assignments, case studies completed with a mentor, interactive online classes, and in-person labs held at 12200B Airport Rd. Jackson, CA 95642.
- The interactive online classes are offered twice per topic. Applicants will sign up for either the Thursday evening track (6:30–8:30 pm) or the Friday afternoon track (2:00–4:00 pm).
- View our current syllabus draft for details about the program; the final version will be posted before the application deadline.
- Applicants must be available to attend the online classes listed below.
- Applicants must be comfortable using a variety of online platforms, including Zoom, Google Workspace, etc. Quizzes and homework are hosted on Google Classroom; class communication is via email.
- Accepted applicants must be fingerprinted for DOJ clearance in California.
Important Dates
Note for the 2026 training dates: All classes are either on Thursday evenings (6:30–8:30 pm) or Friday afternoons (2:00–4:00 pm) on Zoom. All labs will take place on Saturdays, in-person at the General Services building in Jackson, CA.
| 2025 | |
| Sep 18, 6:30–7:30 pm | Live Training Information Meeting |
| Oct 3, 12:00–1:00 pm | Training Q&A Session #1 |
| Oct 17, 2:00–3:00 pm | Training Q&A Session #2 |
| Nov 20, 6:30–7:30 pm | Training Q&A Session #3 |
| Nov 23 | Applications Due |
| Dec 15 | Payment Due |
| 2026 | |
| Jan 9, Fri, 2–3 pm OR Jan 14, Wed, 6:30–7:30 pm | Zoom Class Preparation (optional) |
| Jan 15/16 | Class 1: Training Orientation |
| Jan 22/23 | Class 2: Food Safety |
| Jan 29/30 | Class 3: Cold Storage & Being an MFP Part 1 |
| Jan 31, Sat, 8 am-1 pm | Lab 1: Site Orientation & Cold Storage (In-Person) |
| Feb 5/6 | Class 4: High Acid Canning |
| Feb 13 | Completed Fingerprint Forms Submitted |
| Feb 28, Sat, 8 am-2 pm | Lab 2: High Acid Canning (In-Person) |
| Feb 26/27 | Class 5: Educating Our Community |
| Mar 12/13 | Class 6: Pickling & Fermenting |
| Mar 14, Sat, 8 am-2 pm | Lab 3: Pickle/Ferment/Spreads (In-Person) |
| Mar 26/27 | Class 7: Fruit Spreads |
| Apr 4, Sat, 8 am-2 pm | Lab 4: Fruit Spreads (In-Person) |
| Apr 9/10 | Class 8: Low Acid Canning |
| Apr 23/24 | Class 9: Dehydration & Being an MFP Part 2 |
| Apr 25, Sat, 8 am-2 pm | Lab 5: Low Acid Canning (In-Person) |
| May 2, Sat, 8 am-2 pm | Lab 6: Dehydration (In-Person) |
| May 7/8 | Class 10: Kitchen Pest Management |
| May 16, Sat, Time TBD | Lab 6 Part 2: Follow up on home dehydration projects (Zoom) |
| May 21/22 | Class 11: Being an MFP Part 3 |
| Jun 4/5 | Class 12: Putting it all Together |
| Jun 6, Sat, 9 am-1 pm | Student Presentations & Certification Ceremony (In-Person) |