Master Food Preserver Certification

A Master Food Preserver is a person who is educated in food preservation and is certified by a university agricultural extension. This person is qualified to not just use his or her knowledge to preserve food, but also to disseminate that knowledge to others, via lectures, talks, and one-on-one instruction.

Most states have at least one program sponsored by a University for this end. A simple web search with the name of the state and "Master Food Preserver Certification" should turn up the appropriate program.

Often these programs are free, in exchange for volunteer time from participants. The course of instruction can be fairly extensive and intensive. Most states do not make the information in these courses available on-line. Most courses do not have prerequisite courses or degrees. The Washington State University program, for example, has three requirements: availability for training, a desire to share knowledge, and a willingness to participate in a variety of activities.

These programs are really about an organic way to spread information about safe and efficient methods for food preservation in the home.