Become a UC Master Food Preserver Volunteer

by Laura Snell
Intermountain Master Food Preserver Program Coordinator 

The University of California Master Food Preserver Program invites adults interested in helping others learn about safe home food preservation to apply for certification as a UC Intermountain Master Food Preserver (MFP) volunteer. The Intermountain MFP covers Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Sierra and Plumas Counties. Join volunteers across the region in learning and sharing information about food preservation. Prior food preservation experience is not required.

UC MFP volunteers learn research-based food preservation techniques and then share that knowledge with their local community at online and in-person public demonstrations and guest speaker presentations, through social media, and at information booths at farmers markets, county events and with local youth.

Attend one of two online informational meetings to learn more about the volunteer requirements as well as the selection and training process. Each session lasts one hour and a recorded version will be available. Attendance or viewing of the information meeting is a mandatory pre-requisite to apply. 

1. Friday, October 27, 2023: 12:00 Noon—1:00 pm 
2. Thursday, November 9, 2023: 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Please rsvp online to attend either training information meeting or to receive a link to a meeting recording at http://ucanr.edu/2024-mfp-training-mtg. 

The 2024 UC MFP training online classes will be offered during two different time tracks, either on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 pm or Friday afternoons from 2 pm – 4 pm. Participants will select one of the two tracks as their primary online class times. The training program includes eleven online classes taught between January and May, as well as four hands-on labs scheduled for Saturdays. Visit cemodoc.ucanr.edu for specific class and lab dates.

The UC MFP training program consists of over 40 hours of intensive training and costs $75. This price covers two training manuals, class materials, and all lab expenses. Additional class costs are funded by Modoc County, Modoc Harvest and Adult Education. 

The 2024 new volunteer training program is now open for applications at http://ucanr.edu/2024ucmfp. Applications for the 2024 training classes are due by December 1, 2023. A background check including fingerprinting is required upon acceptance. 

For more information please visit cemodoc.ucanr.edu or contact us at 530-233-6400.