2026 Training Overview
- Lectures and demos: Online via Zoom.
- In-person hands-on labs: UCCE Auditorium, 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827
- Tuition: $350
Who can apply
- Priority is given to Sacramento County residents; neighboring county residents may be accepted if space allows.
- Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class lessons, quizzes and homework are online using Google Classroom; class communication is via email.
Information meeting & Q&A sessions
Attending the September 18 information meeting (or watching the recording) is a required prerequisite before applying. Q&A sessions are optional but strongly recommended. Use the RSVP link to register: it provides access to the live session (if upcoming) or the recording (if past).
- Thu, Sept 18, 2025: Information Meeting, 6:30–7:30 PM (watch the recording)
- Fri, Oct 3, 2025: Q&A Session, 12:00–1:00 PM (watch the 9/18 info meeting recording first)
- Fri, Oct 17, 2025: Q&A Session, 2:00–3:00 PM (watch the 9/18 info meeting recording first)
- Thu, Nov 20, 2025: Q&A Session, 6:30–7:30 PM (watch the 9/18 info meeting recording first)
RSVP: Information Meeting/Recording and Q&A
Application
- Application deadline: End of day Sunday, November 23, 2025.
- Interviews: Beginning October, 2025.
- Course fee due: December 15, 2025.
- Live Scan (fingerprinting) due: February 13, 2026 (forms provided upon acceptance).
- Volunteer requirement: 50 hours the first year; then 25 volunteer hours + 12 continuing education hours annually.
What We’ll Do
- Review applicants. Main criteria for acceptance: 1) prior community service, 2) experience teaching, either by giving presentations, writing, or in one-on-one situations, 3) experience/interest in home food preservation.
- Request a DOJ Clearance, including fingerprinting.
- Teach you how to preserve food successfully using scientifically researched home processes.
- Teach you how to educate our community about safe home food preservation.
- Provide you with plenty of fun volunteer and continuing education opportunities.
What You’ll Do If Accepted
- Pay the $350.00 course fee.
- Choose a track and attend the Zoom classes as well as the in-person labs. The tracks for Zoom classes are Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM or Fridays 2-4 PM. Labs are held in person on Saturdays or Sundays. See the dates for Zoom classes and in person labs in the list below. Only one class may be missed and must be completed outside of normal class time with a mentor.
- Complete the Live Scan fingerprinting process.
- Attend at least one public class hosted by a UC Master Food Preserver Program; either in person or online, by April 24, 2026, as part of your training program. See our calendar for these classes.
- Attend monthly program business meetings on the second Thursday of the month via Zoom at 6:30 PM as often as possible.
- Complete 50 volunteer hours your first full program year, then 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours each year thereafter.
- Pass an annual food safety reappointment quiz.
- Have fun!
Course Schedule (January – June 2026, Online & In-Person)
In-person training is in bold below.
| Date | Format & Time | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 9 (Fri) or Jan 14 (Wed) | Online, Fri 2:00–3:00 PM or Wed 6:30-7:30 PM | Zoom Class Preparation (optional) |
| Jan 15 (Thu) / Jan 16 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Training Orientation |
| Jan 22 (Thu) / Jan 23 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Food Safety |
| Jan 24 (Sat) | UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Orientation / Knife Skills & Meet and Greet |
| Jan 29 (Thu) / Jan 30 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Cold Storage & Being a UC Master Food Preserver – Part 1 |
| Feb 1 (Sun) | UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Cold Storage Lab |
| Feb 5 (Thu) / Feb 6 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | High Acid Canning |
| Feb 8 (Sun) | UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | High Acid Canning Lab |
| Feb 26 (Thu) / Feb 27 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Educating Our Community |
| Mar 12 (Thu) / Mar 13 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Pickling & Fermenting |
| Mar 14 (Sat) | UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Pickling & Fermenting Lab |
| Mar 26 (Thu) / Mar 27 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Fruit Spreads |
| Mar 28 (Sat) | UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Fruit Spreads Lab |
| Apr 9 (Thu) / Apr 10 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Low Acid Canning |
| Apr 11 (Sat) | UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Low Acid Canning Lab |
| Apr 23 (Thu) / Apr 24 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Dehydration & Being a UC Master Food Preserver – Part 2 |
| Apr 25 (Sat) | UCCE Auditorium, 1:00–4:00 PM | Dehydration Lab Part 1 |
| Apr 26 (Sun) | UCCE Auditorium, 1:00–4:00 PM | Dehydration Lab Part 2 |
| May 7 (Thu) / May 8 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Kitchen Pest Management |
| May 21 (Thu) / May 22 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Being a UC Master Food Preserver – Part 3 |
| May 23 (Sat) | UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Student Presentations |
| Jun 4 (Thu) / Jun 5 (Fri) | Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PM | Putting it all Together |
Dates and topics are subject to change. Online classes are hosted by the statewide UC Master Food Preserver program; in-person labs are run locally by our Sacramento County team to provide hands-on experience alongside experienced volunteers.
Questions?
Contact us or refer to the Information Meeting Recording.
Updated September 21, 2025
Preserve today, relish tomorrow!