Classes

Many people email me about classes. I’m still not back to the pre-covid frame of mind yet, but there are a few options to consider if you are interested in learning about various forms of food preservation.

Create Your Own Group

In December I did a workshop at home for a group of young people who work together. They came from across the GTA and drove up to the beautiful Beaver Valley for an afternoon of jam and pickle making. It was really fun. So, if you have a group of friends, colleagues, or family members who would like to organize a workshop, email me and we can set it up. Whatever you want to learn is fine with me. We create the workshop together. We cover the science of preservation and techniques for preserving safely. You get to do hands-on work and everyone goes away with something you’ve created.

Stay and Learn

Kimberley is in the heart of the Beaver Valley which is about 2 hours north of Toronto. It sits in the Niagara Escarpment and has a 300,000 year old history. There are many trail systems easily accessed, the Beaver River for kayaking, and lots of opportunity for skiing and snowshoeing. The Village has the lovely General Store and two very good restaurants. Any season, Kimberley is a super place to spend a couple of days or more. Sound appealing?

If you have an interest in visiting the Kimberley area to hike, bike, kayak, ski and enjoy the many wineries, cideries and restaurants, a class on canning, fermenting or food preservation in general can be arranged as part of your stay. To explore places to stay check out these links:

Why not come for a couple of days and enjoy the area and combine the visit with a workshop on food preservation!

Next to the Kimberley General Store is the “Rock House” which is available for short stay rentals. Here’s the link:https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/6858022

The Jasper Stuart House: jasperstuarthouse.com

Agriculture Grey-Bruce Two Day Intensive Workshop

For several years, I have been teaching for Agriculture Grey-Bruce generally during their winter educational programs. This year, we are doing a full two-day, hands-on workshop that will include water-bath and atmospheric steam canning, pressure canning, dehydrating, fermenting, and freezing. Of course, we will begin with the science of food preservation. Food and drinks will be provided. This is a hands-on experience in a newly renovated commercial kitchen. The class will be limited to 20.

If you are interested, dates are April 28th and 29th. The location is the Rocklyn Hall. If you will be travelling from afar, there is a cute inn and B&B right around the corner called “The Rocklyn Inn”. Here’s the link: https://rocklyninn.ca/

For information about this workshop or to register: https://www.greyagservices.ca/
Or email: info@greyagservices.ca

Previous Workshops

Previous workshops on water-bath canning, pressure canning, dehydration and fermentation were provided through various community groups like Agriculture Grey-Bruce, Southeast Grey Community Health Centre and Dundalk Library, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre. Additionally, workshops were offered to groups of individuals in a fun-filled and seasonally relevant format. Hands on workshops and demonstrations help learners develop skills and knowledge about food preservation methods. Zoom classes were also offered through Agriculture Grey Bruce.

Watch for announcements of upcoming classes and workshops. Start thinking about what you’d like to learn. Grab some friends and plan a class here in the beautiful Beaver Valley.