I would suggest contacting your local Extension directly to find out the nearest Extension branch where Master Preserver training is offered.

Some of these offerings are seasonal and may not appear currently on the site; in other cases reduced funding has led to a reduction of classes or made it necessary to travel greater distances to take classes.

But PA Extension staffers are the people to talk to.

Carol

Agree - PA has a great extension service and they will be able to direct you to the nearest certification class.

Some travel may be required as Master Certification classes are usually offered only by the state university although that varies from state to state - just as the requirements for certification do. EX: Our state requires entry level classes be successfully completed prior to applying for the Master cert program and re-cert classes are required each 3 years to keep the certification.

would be willing to teach a beginner class in Food Preservation

Good luck but since I don't know anything about your canning background or experience, please keep in mind that it is a big responsibility and not one to be undertaken casually. I only say this because there are already far too many sources of inaccurate and even unsafe information out there on canning so you will need to be prepared to deal with more than just the basics. A review of some of the questions we get here is a good example of what I mean. ;)

Dave

I know you are a long way from Westmoreland County, but here's a brochure from their course from last summer (maybe they could help you get in touch with the right person at the State Penn - as DH "affectionately" calls it):

Westmoreland County Food Preservation Workshop

They do mention the instructor is a Penn State Master Food Preserver - if there's one, there might be more :-)

Thanks so much!

I did find an email for a county extension person who is in the food preservation area, so I sent an email off to her a few minutes ago.

As Carol can vouch based on my questions on the Cooking Forum, I am pretty much a newbie at canning since I only started 2 years ago and that was with pickles, pepper jelly, marmalade and pear butter. I did do some chutneys and ventured into the Habanero Gold (omg is that stuff good!) arena this past year and am ready to take this to the next level. So no, my experience isn't vast, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I am providing the most accurate information possible.

Thanks again for the advice!

Alexa

alexa, I answered you on Cooking, so between these two places, you have all the information you need.

Have fun and Happy Canning.

Annie

Alexa, not sure if your around Lancaster, I have seen Food Preserver Classes advertisied there similar to the link Malna posted.

Yep, the ole Blue and White (PennState) extension offices offer theses classes, unfortunetly, not at all extension service areas.