We don't have our place yet, but I am trying to gather all the info I can before and see if we have a head start! I have no experience with canning and freezing and am wondering how you learn all this?? Is there hope if you have no farmers in the family to get lessons from?? I would like to know if there are classes at the extension agent or could they tell me where to find them? I also saw interesting info in another section about what kind of chickens are good for different reasons! I was amazed at what things y'all know and we should learn! I will go to each area and ask about the particular animals, etc! I am very familiar with all kinds of animals, have worked in a vet's office and shown and bred dogs, but not about things like best for meat, best laying chickens, "how-to-do" stuff and all that! So, I will keep on learning some things here I guess! Thanks for any help!

-- Kathy inVa (VaUSMCwf@home.com), July 26, 2001

Answers

Response to Canning and freezing.....

Kathy,

There are many books that are VERY helpful. I would also suggest checking out yard sales/auctions to accumulate canners, jars, grinders etc. Many times the manuals that come with cookers or canners are helpful and sometimes have recipes on them.

-- MIke in PA (smfine@yahoo.com), July 26, 2001.

Response to Canning and freezing.....

No one in my family cans but me, so I had to learn it all from scratch, too. You _can_ do it too!

Go get a copy of the Ball Blue Book. It covers canning, freezing and dehydrating foods. Has a world of priceless information in it. Get the very best equipment you can afford because it will last you the rest of your life. Buy a canner that will do at least 8 quarts at a time or if you have a bunch of kiddos, get an even bigger one. Last year I bought an All American canner, mainly because it doesn't have a rubber gasket that must be replaced every year. I love the thing!

I have the usual big water bath canner and use it a lot for jams and jellies, pickles and tomatoes. All my other canning equipment is stainless steel, not plastic or aluminum. The stainless costs more but lasts way longer and is better health wise too. Get stainless steel cookware if you possibly can do that.

By all means, get friendly with your county extension agent. They have a wealth of valuable information they are delighted to share. I got plans for food dehydrators from mine, one solar and one electric. We are going to build both soon. They also have stacks of recipies, for quick and easy meals as well as for canning and freezing. Go visit in person and browse the racks of information they have - all of it is free. Here at least.

Plunge right in and do some green beans and tomatoes. They are easy and just about everyone likes them. And you will love seeing them on your shelves!!!

-- Carol Mora - in Virginia (carollm@rockbridge.net), July 26, 2001.

Hey Kathy, don't wait until you get you "place" to start canning. Start now!!! I would recommend getting a 4 pint Presto "cooker- canner" and some pint jars and start by going to the famer's market and get some green beans. With your new canner you will get a little book that gives some good directions. Also pick up the Ball Blue Book because it gives a lot of good directions for all kinds of canning and freezing. At the library you can find "Stocking Up" and other books to read about it and discover which books you want to have for your library. Then, shop the garage sales. I like my little cooker-canner because it is dual purpose.......cook and can. You will be able to can meat that is on sale and have real cheap "convinience" food. A pint jar of canned beef makes a nice batch of beef and noodles. Play with it now so you are a real pro when you have your own stuff to do.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), July 26, 2001.

Kathy,

What about a senior citizen home or rec. area. Probably a lot of women there (or even men) who used to can would be delighted to pass on that knowledge and would be thankful for a visit.

Also, what about putting a sign up in the grocery store asking if anyone has knowledge of canning and if they would be interested in teaching you. You can always barter some of your beautiful canned goods for their services.

Putting food on the table that you grew and processed is the best feeling in the world!

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), July 26, 2001.

I too am the only one I know who cans: in fact, I'm in my early 20's and my girlfriends think I'm crazy. But after you try it once, you'll be hooked. There's nothing like it. You can learn, as I did (and am still doing) by reading books. My favourite is 'Stocking Up' but I'm sure there are plenty of books out there. I agree with the advice given out above: no need to wait. Start as soon as you can.

-- emily jane jenkins (emilyjanejenkins@hotmail.com), July 26, 2001.

Call around to nearby counties and see if anyone close by offers the Master Preserver certificates. It's like the master gardener program, but for food preserving.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), July 27, 2001.