Learn to preserve fruits and vegetables at SFA workshop

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Is your garden overflowing with tomatoes or squash? Are you a faithful purchaser of fresh produce at the Farmer's Market? Would you like to put away some of this summer's goodness for next winter?

If so, plan to attend a garden seminar titled "Preserving Your Fruits and Vegetables" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, in Room 211 of the Human Sciences North Building at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The workshop will be co-hosted by SFA Gardens and the university's hospitality administration and food nutrition and dietetics and programs. Glenda Taylor, a lifelong gardener and owner of Earthsprings Retreat Center near Crockett, will offer a hands-on introduction to canning, freezing, pickling, jelling and other methods of preserving fruits and vegetables. Whether you are completely new to this experience or an old hand at preserving food, you will enjoy learning basics and sharing tips.

"If you are health conscious and concerned about what goes into the foods you eat or serve your family, preserving foods yourself is one way of being certain of the wholesomeness of your food," Taylor said.

Each participant will have the opportunity to preserve something at the workshop to take home, she said.

"We are excited that Glenda has agreed to share her extensive knowledge of food preservation with our workshop participants," said Kerry Lemon, assistant education coordinator at SFA Gardens. "She grows bountiful gardens and always preserves what she grows. Plus, she makes the most delicious pickles I have ever eaten!"

Class size is limited, so please register before June 13 by contacting the SFA Gardens education office at (936) 468-1832 or sfagardens@sfasu.edu. Cost is $25 for SFA Garden members and $30 for non-members.