Add to your summer food preservation toolkit
- col-kate-shumaker
- June 20, 2025
- 474
When was the last time you needed to know how to do something? Where did you turn for the answer? Did you ask a parent, family member or friend? Did you “Google” it? Watch a YouTube video? Attend a class?
Our Ohio State University Extension food preservation team has put together a host of resources to help with answers whenever you need them. How can we help you?
Summer webinar series
Selecting, storing and serving Ohio produce — learn to choose the best Ohio produce, store it properly and serve it creatively. This series also covers essential food preservation techniques to extend the harvest. Gain valuable insights to enhance your enjoyment of Ohio’s seasonal produce, whether you’re a culinary enthusiast or a beginner.
Webinars are free, but registration is required. Register at go.osu.edu/fpwebinars. Each session is on a Tuesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. Upcoming events include the following:
—July 15: Peppers and Eggplant.
—July 29: Root Vegetables.
—Aug. 12: Apples and Pears.
—Aug. 26: Grapes.
—Sept. 9: Squash and Pumpkins.
On-demand webinars
You can find recordings of past webinars at go.osu.edu/foodpreservationwebinars. Select from over 40.
Past series themes have been Food Preservation for Home and Emergencies; Traditions and Trends in Food Preservation; Food Preservation Five: Considerations for Preserving Food; Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Produce; Food Preservation Basics, Food Preservation — Seasonal Foods; and more. Check out the list of webinars and watch at your leisure or find the topic you need now.
On-call, Ask an Expert
Sometimes you need to talk it through with a real person. Call us. If you have a question about food preservation in Holmes County, call me at 330-674-3015.
One of our food preservation team members is on-call (during regular business hours) all summer long to assist with questions in an emergency (when the pot is on already on the stove) — even if the county extension educator (probably me) is not available.
You also can always submit a question online through the Ask an Expert portal at extension.osu.edu/ask-an-expert. Your question will be reviewed and redirected to the proper person for response.
Fact sheets
Access and download information for canning, freezing and drying from Ohioline (ohioline.osu.edu), the National Center for Home Food Preservation (nchfp.uga.edu) or other extension organizations from the internet or request copies from us. We can email or mail resources to you.
Pressure canner testing
As shared in a previous article, we have multiple dates scheduled around the county for pressure canner testing. Next week I will be at Mt. Hope Hardware on Wednesday, June 25 and at Lehman’s on Thursday, June 26 doing free canner testing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Scheduled for Keim in Charm in July. Canner testing also can be scheduled at our office for a small fee.
Preserving your own food is a rewarding experience. Let’s make eating it a safe experience.
For more information about upcoming programs in family and consumer sciences, join the Coshocton, Holmes, Wayne Family and Consumer Sciences newsletter at holmes.osu.edu/program-areas/family-and-consumer-sciences/fcs-e-newsletter-food-family-finance. You also can follow the Holmes County OSU Extension on Facebook @OSUEXTHolmes.
For more information contact Kate Shumaker, extension educator of family and consumer sciences, at shumaker.68@osu.edu or 330-674-3015.