Food Preservation Conference

Food Preservation Conference
Location

Wytheville Meeting Center
333 Community Blvd Wytheville, VA

Date

August 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Pricing
A registration fee is required for all participants.

About

Food preservation methods such as canning, fermentation, dehydration and freezing are great ways to preserve our food so that they last throughout the year! Make sure that you are doing it safely by attending Virginia Cooperative Extension's Food Preservation Conference on August 1st, 2026 at the Wytheville Meeting Center. Pick from over 15 sessions from beginning water bath canning to curing a ham! 

The cost of this event is $60 which includes lunch and access to pick from 15 high-quality educational sessions.

There will also be children's activities throughout the day for children aged 8 and up. 

The cost for each child is $30.

Wytheville Meeting Center: 333 Community Blvd, Wytheville, VA 24382

Sessions

Aug. 1, 2026

  • 10:15 AM - 12:00 PM EDT 10:15 AM-12:00 PM Beginner Boiling Water Bath

    In this hands-on session, you will learn everything you need to know to use the boiling-water bath method to preserve jams, jellies, pickles, salsa and much more!

    Location: Meeting Room 3

  • 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM EDT 10:15-11:30 AM Fermentation (required prerequisite for Sauerkraut making)

    Learn the science behind fermentation, the history, why we ferment, commonly fermented foods, components of fermentation, containers, weights, tools, dangers, and how to store your foods.

    Location: Meeting Room 1

  • 10:15 AM - 12:00 PM EDT 10:15 AM-12:00 PM Beginner Pressure Canner

    Have you ever been scared that your pressure canner will explode? In this session, we take the fear out of pressure canning! This will be a hands-on demonstration using a pressure canner so you can safely preserve those green beans, carrots, and much more!

    Location: Meeting Room 2

  • 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM EDT 10:15-11:30 AM Preserving Food, Preserving Culture: A Story Circle on Food Traditions

    Food preservation brings people together through shared work, memory, and tradition. As families and neighbors gather to harvest, chop, cook, can, and swap recipes, they also share stories and their lived experiences. These practices nourish more than food; they strengthen relationships and keep community traditions alive. In this session, we will gather to share stories of food preservation using a story circle approach, creating space for reflection, connection, and the exchange of food traditions and culture.

    Location: Ballroom B

  • 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM EDT 10:15-11:30 AM Dehydration

    Learn about the different dehydration methods, types of food dehydrators, features to look for, and how to dehydrate vegetables, fruits, and jerky.

    Location: Ballroom C

  • 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM EDT 10:15-11:30 AM Freezing Meals

    Have you ever considered freezing your meals, but were intimidated by the process? In this session, you will learn about the food safety, best practices, packaging tips, storage times, and get some fantastic freezer friendly recipes!

    Location: Ballroom A

  • 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM EDT 1:00-2:00 PM Field Dressing Deer

    Learn how to safely process a deer. This presentation will be done by experts from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

    Location: Ballroom B

  • 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM EDT 1:00-3:00 PM Ham Curing

    Ham curing is a time honored tradition in Appalachia. Learn how to cure a ham from start to finish.

    Location: Ballroom A

  • 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM EDT 1:00-2:00 PM Cooking with Your Canned Goods: How to Use What You Have Preserved

    Did you know you can preserve red pepper spread? Dijon mustard? Strawberry lemonade concentrate? Learn innovative and unique ways to use your canned goods. In this session, we will do food demonstrations and provide samples using unique home canned goods.

    Location: Ballroom C

  • 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM EDT 1:00-2:00 PM Hands-On Sauerkraut Making

    You must attend the fermentation session in the morning in order to participate in this session. This will be a hands-on session where participants will learn step by step how to make sauerkraut.

    Location: Meeting Room 1

  • 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM EDT 1:00-3:00 PM Jam and Jelly Making

    Learn how to make flawless jams and jellies during this session.

    Location: Meeting Room 3

  • 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM EDT 1:00-2:00 PM Molasses Making Demonstrations

    During this come and go session, you can watch a local producer make molasses.

    Location: Outside

  • 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM EDT 1:00-2:00 PM Smoking Meat

    During this come and go session, you can learn how to smoke your own meats.

    Location: Outside

  • 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM EDT 1:00-3:00 PM Pressure Canning Meats and Broth

    Take the fear out of canning your meats and broth during this session.

    Location: Meeting Room 2

  • 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM EDT 2:00-3:00 PM Molasses Making Demonstrations

    During this come and go session, you can watch a local producer make molasses.

    Location: Outside

  • 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM EDT 2:00-3:00 PM Smoking Meat

    During this come and go session, you can learn how to smoke your own meats.

    Location: Outside

  • 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM EDT 2:00-3:00 PM Fermentation

    Learn the science behind fermentation, the history, why we ferment, commonly fermented foods, components of fermentation, containers, weights, tools, dangers, and how to store your foods.

    Location: Meeting Room 1

  • 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM EDT 2:00-3:00 PM Dehydration

    Learn about the different dehydration methods, types of food dehydrators, features to look for, and how to dehydrate vegetables, fruits, and jerky.

    Location: Ballroom C

  • 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM EDT 3:00-4:00 PM Cooking with Your Canned Goods: How to Use What You Have Preserved

    Did you know you can preserve red pepper spread? Dijon mustard? Strawberry lemonade concentrate? Learn innovative and unique ways to use your canned goods. In this session, we will do food demonstrations and provide samples using unique home canned goods.

    Location: Meeting Room 3

  • 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM EDT 3:00-4:00 PM Smoking Meat

    During this come and go session, you can learn how to smoke your own meats.

    Location: Outside

  • 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM EDT 3:00-4:00 PM Hands-On Sauerkraut Making

    You must attend the fermentation session in the morning in order to participate in this session. This will be a hands-on session where participants will learn step by step how to make sauerkraut.

    Location: Meeting Room 1

  • 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM EDT 3:00-4:00 PM Freezing Meals

    Have you ever considered freezing your meals, but were intimidated by the process? In this session, you will learn about the food safety, best practices, packaging tips, storage times, and get some fantastic freezer friendly recipes!

    Location: Meeting Room 2

  • 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM EDT 3:00-4:00 PM Molasses Making Demonstrations

    During this come and go session, you can watch a local producer make molasses.

    Location: Outside

  • 06:00 PM - 06:30 PM EDT Carroll County Cannery Tour

    Transportation will NOT be provided for the cannery tour. Participants will be responsible for driving themselves to the cannery. The cannery is about a 30-minute drive from the Wytheville Meeting Center.

    Location: 497 Farmers Market Dr, Woodlawn, VA 24381

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments, and is an equal opportunity employer. For the full non-discrimination statement, please visit ext.vt.edu/accessibility.