Right now is peak harvest season and many home gardeners are interested in preserving their fresh produce. Amanda Miller, FoodWIse Coordinator and Health and Well-Being Educator, is available for office visits, phone calls, or emails from Fond du Lac County residents that have questions on food preservation or food safety. Both beginner and expert home food preservers are welcome to call. Food preservation can range from home refrigeration and freezing, to drying, pickling/fermenting, and canning. 

In addition, Miller offers presentations on the topic to community organizations. She just recently presented to more than 50 employees of Mercury Marine on the “basics of home food preservation”, which had overwhelmingly positive feedback from their staff that attended across multiple states.

Miller uses the most current research-based information and resources to help assist callers. Some of the most current resources come from UW-Madison, including a publication series called “Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series” and a blog “Safe and Healthy Food for Your Family” at: https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/safefood/?ss_redir=1. The publication series is available for purchase at the Extension office for a small fee or free for printing online. 

In addition, the National Center for Food Preservation is a national leader in food preservation. Miller represents Wisconsin Extension on a multi-state networking group of Extension Educators called the North Central Regional Food Safety Network. This group offers virtual classes and publishes a monthly newsletter, “Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe!” that is shared on the Fond du Lac Extension’s Facebook page.  

Miller also offers free dial gauge testing of pressure canners, which is recommended annually.