Canning and preserving

   Spring is here and the garden soon will be producing tons of vegetables and fruits, or  perhaps you are planning to take advantage of farmer’s markets, road-side stands or you-pick operations to buy a large amount of food to put away for later in the year.

   Preserving some of that food  will give you great taste and good nutrition and will also make memories for a lifetime.  

   Join us on for a canning update.  You have several choices of dates and times:

   n Tuesday, March 30 at 6 p.m.. at Newberry Library, 110 S. Seaboard Dr., Newberry; to register, call (352)4721135;

   n Tuesday, April 6, at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m., Levy County Extension Office, 625 Hathaway Ave., Bronson; to register, call, (352) 486-5131;

   n Tuesday, April 13, at 2 p.m. and again at 6p.m., Alachua County Extensio Office, 2800 N.E. 39th Ave., Gainesville; to register, call (352) 955-2402;

   n Saturday, April 24, at 2 p.m., Twer Road Library, 3020 S.W. 75th Street, Gainesville; to register, call (352) 333-2840;

   n Tuesday, April 27, 2 p.m. andf 6 p.m. at Dixie County Library, 16328 S.E. U.S. Highway 19, Cross City; to register, call (352) 498-1219;

   n Tuesday, May 4, at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m., Gilchrist County Library, 105 N.E. 11th Ave., Trenton; to register, call (352) 463-3174..

    All classes will cover  pressure canning for vegetables and boiling water canning for fruits.  Sweet spreads (jams and jellies), and pickles will also be discussed.  This is for the novice as well as the experienced.  Canning recommendations have changed during the past few years.  Seating is limited.  Please call each location to reserve your seat now.  There is an optional $3 fee for the workshop.  You may just pay at the door, so please bring the correct change.

    The programs are sponsored by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences  Levy and Alachua County Extension Services.  For more information, please contact Muriel Turner at 352-486-5131 or Brenda Williams at 352-955-2402.