Extension office to host youth canning classes

By Bobby Horn Jr.
news@casscountynow.com

CASS COUNTY—There was a time when home food preservation was practiced by nearly every household out of necessity, however with the increased availability of frozen and canned foods the number of practitioners of the art and science of home food preservation dwindled.
There has been a recent resurgence in this skill as people begin seeing the benefits of home food preservation.
The Cass County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office is offering a week-long series of classes in home food preservation for youth this month.
The classes will be taught at the Cass County Cowboy Church, 7701 US Hwy. 59 N. in Atlanta, beginning July 25 with class on dehydration.
This will be followed by classes dealing with boiling water canning, making jam, pickling and freezing.
Water bath canning is used for high-acid foods which include fruits, fruit juices, jams, jellies and other fruit spreads, salsas, tomatoes with added acid, pickles, relishes, chutneys, sauces, vinegars and condiments.
Cost for the series is $50.
Pre-registration and payment is required. For more information contact Michelle Valentin, county extension agent- Family and Consumer Sciences, at 903-756-5391.