FALMOUTH, ME – Applications are available starting March 1 for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Food Preserver Volunteer program. The program trains volunteers to extend UMaine Extension’s education programs in food preservation to adults and youth in the community.

The program consists of nine hands-on kitchen labs, held Tuesdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m., June 18 to Aug. 27. The first and last class will be held at the Cumberland County Extension office in Falmouth, 75 Clearwater Drive. The remaining classes will be held at Brunswick High School in Brunswick, 71 Dragon Drive. Participants will learn various food preservation techniques, including canning, drying, freezing, freeze drying, fermenting, and winter storage, as well as important food safety information.

The Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program is open to any Maine resident 18 years or older. Upon successful completion of the program, volunteers will serve as valuable resources in the community, providing research-based information from UMaine Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  

Class size is limited, and interested individuals are required to fill out an application. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. May 3. Participants will be informed of their selection status during the last week of May. 

The fee for the Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program is $300, due upon acceptance into the program. Limited financial assistance is available. Requests for a hard copy of the application form can be made by contacting extension.rlreception@maine.edu or 207.781.6099. 

For more information and to access the application form, please visit the program webpage. 

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Kathy Savoie, ksavoie@maine.edu, 207.781.6099 or 1.800.287.1471 (in Maine).

Photo courtesy University of Maine Cooperative Extension.