The UC Master Food Preserver Program of Mariposa County is now recruiting for our next volunteer training class, beginning in January 2027. We invite Mariposa residents to apply to join our team of community educators.
No prior food preservation experience is required. We will teach you everything. What we're really looking for is a willingness to learn and to share what you learn with your neighbors.
Key Dates
- Information Session (required): Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6:30–7:30 p.m., online. A recording will be available if you cannot attend live.
- Optional Q&A sessions: Friday, October 9 (12:00–1:00 p.m.) · Friday, October 23 (2:00–3:00 p.m.) · Thursday, November 12 (6:30–7:30 p.m.)
- Applications due: Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Interviews: late November / early December 2026
- Classes run: January through June 2027
Join the interest list and we will email you when applications open.
What Are Master Food Preservers?
Master Food Preservers are volunteer educators with the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. As a certified volunteer, you will:
- Teach your community safe, research-based food preservation
- Lead hands-on workshops in canning, pickling, fermenting, and more
- Staff booths at farmers markets, fairs, and community events
What You'll Learn
- How to safely preserve your harvest: canning, fermenting, pickling, drying, and freezing
- Food safety and shelf-stable storage using USDA-approved recipes and resources
- Hands-on practice with real equipment
- How to teach these skills to others
Class Format & Schedule
The training is a hybrid program: online classes taught by the statewide program, plus hands-on labs here in Mariposa County. In total, the training is more than 50 hours over about 16 weeks, running January through June 2027.
Online classes. Each class is offered twice, and you choose one track that fits your schedule:
- Thursday evenings, 6:30–8:30 p.m., or
- Friday afternoons, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
There are 12 online classes, plus online quizzes, reading, and coursework you complete at home. Class materials and assignments are managed through Google Classroom.
In-person labs. There are six hands-on labs across the program (roughly one a month), held here in Mariposa County, where you practice the methods you have learned:
- Site orientation & cold storage
- High-acid canning
- Pickling, fermenting & spreads
- Fruit spreads
- Low-acid canning
- Dehydration
Our local lab dates and location will be posted here as soon as they are set.
Who Can Apply?
- Residency: Applications are accepted from Mariposa County residents.
- Experience: None required. Prior food preservation knowledge is not a prerequisite.
- Technology: You must be comfortable using a computer and the internet. Classes, quizzes, and homework are online, and class communication is by email.
- Availability: You must be able to attend one of the two online class tracks and the in-person labs in Mariposa.
The Commitment
We want to be upfront about this, because it is a real commitment and we would rather you know now.
- During training (Jan–Jun 2027): more than 50 hours of classes, labs, and coursework.
- Your first year: complete 50 volunteer hours between January 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028.
- Each year after: 25 volunteer hours and 12 hours of continuing education (July 1 to June 30).
- Annually: pass a food safety reappointment quiz and complete reappointment paperwork.
- Attend monthly program business meetings (currently online via Zoom).
- Attend at least one public class hosted by a UC Master Food Preserver Program as part of your training.
Cost
There is a course fee, which is nonrefundable and covers your required textbooks, name badge, and MFP apron, along with other training expenses.
The exact fee for the 2027 class will be posted here as soon as it is confirmed.
Live Scan fingerprinting is a separate cost, paid by you directly to the fingerprinting agency, as part of the required background clearance.
Cost should not be the reason you don't apply. If the fee is a barrier, please contact us.
Selection & Training Process
What we will do:
- Review applicants and conduct interviews. We consider:
- Prior community service
- Experience teaching or sharing knowledge (presentations, writing, or one-on-one)
- Interest in home food preservation (experience is welcome, but not required)
- Request a DOJ clearance, including fingerprinting.
- Teach you to preserve food safely using scientifically researched home processes.
- Teach you to educate our community about safe home food preservation.
- Provide you with volunteer and continuing education opportunities.
Get on the Interest List
Applications open in Fall 2026 and are due November 15, 2026. To be notified when applications open, fill out our interest form. There is no commitment.
You can also request a paper application at any of our events, or contact our office during business hours.
UCCE Mariposa Office
5009 Fairgrounds Rd
Mariposa, CA 95338
Phone: 209-966-2417
Email: mrygiol@ucanr.edu
Web: cemariposa.ucanr.edu