AMES – Your spring gardens are flourishing with wonderful produce. Preserving your garden’s summer bounty is a great way to enjoy home-grown produce year round – as long as you don’t serve food borne illness, like botulism, with your home preserved foods, say nutrition and wellness specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“Home food preservation is not difficult, but it does require following specific directions exactly,” said Holly VanHeel, nutrition and wellness specialist. “Ignoring recommended procedures can result in home canned products that will make you, your family and friends very ill.”

To help Iowans safely preserve foods, ISU Extension and Outreach is hosting a virtual Food Preservation 101 course. Food Preservation 101 is a general overview that highlights the key information Iowans need to know to get started preserving food at home.

During this free, one-hour online course, nutrition and wellness specialists will:

• Discuss various food preservation techniques – pressure canning, hot water bath canning, dehydration and freezing;

• Provide science-based, reliable food preservation resources; and

• Answer general food preservation questions.

Food Preservation 101 will be hosted a few more times through September. These are free to Iowans across the state. To register for Food Preservation 101 go to https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/preservation-101.

The scheduled dates and times are:

• Thursday, Aug. 20, 10-11 a.m. and 8-9 p.m.

• Thursday, Sept. 10, 7-8 p.m.

For more information, contact nutrition and wellness program specialists Holly VanHeel, vanheel@iastate.edu, or call 515-576-2119.

Lid checks

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Hamilton County will be offering pressure canner lids checks on September 9, 2020 from 8 am to 4 pm in the office at 311 Bank St. Webster City, Iowa.

Pressure canner lids with dial gauges need to be tested annually for accuracy. This service is free of charge and you can drop off your lid/gauge ahead of time when it is convenient for you.

The following brands of pressure canners can be tested: Presto, National, Kook Kwik, Maid of Honor, and Magic Seal.

If you would like to get your pressure canner lid checked please drop them off at the Hamilton County Extension office on or before September 9, 2020. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Hamilton County is open Monday-Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm. You can call 515-832-9597 or email sschmitz@istate.edu with questions.

If you have a question about canning, the AnswerLine provides information and resources for Iowa consumers with home and family questions. Call 1-800-262-3804 toll free Monday-Friday 9 am to noon and 1-4 pm.