Photo source: National Center for Home Food Preservation

Find the information you need on canning, freezing, and drying by following these links

Canning

Provides you with general directions, as well as sections dedicated to just fruits, vegetables, tomatoes and tomato products; meats, poultry and seafood; pickles and fermented products; jellies, jams and preserves.

Before you begin, be sure  you have the latest information about using your canner, up-to-date canning practices, and unsafe canning practices.

Freezing

Divided into special instructions for freezing fruits, vegetables, meats and other products; meals or advanced food preparation, and also answers to basic questions such as which foods freeze well.

Drying

Information and resources are provided on dehydrators and on dehydrating vegetables, herbs, fruits and fruit leathers, and jerkies. 

NEW! Canning & Freezing Safely & Successfully: A Quiz (Video)

Canning might be considered an art as well as a science. As such, we often want to let our creative side take over! We create our own recipes, improvise regarding equipment and supplies, and may make decisions based on half-truths.

If you’re a beginning canner or even an advanced canner, see how up-to-date you are on canning before you get out that boiling water canner or pressure canner. Or if freezing is your choice … before you start searching for freezer containers. Watch our video and take the quiz!

NOTE: When canning foods, it is important to know your local altitude. Your altitude determines the amount of pressure (pressure canner) or time (boiling-water canner) for your food. In Nebraska, the altitude ranges in elevation from about 1,000 feet  to 5,000 feet above sea level.

• To learn the altitude in your location, Click here for a map of elevations in Nebraska; or, contact your local Extension office.
  • Or, if you live outside of Nebraska, find your local Extension office here.
    
• Or check with your local planning commission or zoning office, or on a webpage about your town or city.

(This video is based on peer-reviewed materials)

Resources provided come from a variety of sources including University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, The National Center for Home Food Preservation (U. of Georgia), Penn State University, and Buy Fresh Buy Local® Nebraska.