Ohio State - Scioto County Extension

🥒🍑 Food Preservation Series 🍅🥕

Learn the skills and confidence to preserve fresh foods at home with our Food Preservation Series! Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, these hands-on classes will teach safe, research-based food preservation techniques.

📚 Topics

🥒 Pickling Basics- June 23, 2026 @ 1pm
Learn the fundamentals of making safe and delicious pickled foods.

🍑 Water Bath Canning: Peach Salsa- June 26, 2026 @ 10am
Combine sweet and savory flavors while learning safe water bath canning methods.

🍅 Water Bath Canning: Salsa - July 17, 2026 @ 10am
Discover the proper techniques for preparing and canning homemade salsa.

🥕 Pressure Canning: Vegetables- July 27, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Learn the importance of pressure canning and how to safely preserve low-acid vegetables.

📍 Location ( for all classes): Ohio State University Extension Scioto County Learning Center, 205 Court Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662
💲 Cost: $15.00 per participant (per class)
®️ Registration Required, Link: go.osu.edu/SciotoSummerFCS

Participants will receive educational materials, hands-on instruction, and the knowledge needed to safely preserve foods at home.

Space is limited, so register early!

📞 For more information contact: 740-354-7879

🥒🍅🍑🥕

🎄🎁 Christmas in July: Homemade Gifts from the Kitchen 🎁🎄

Get a head start on your holiday gifting with Christmas in July! Join us for a fun and festive workshop where you'll create meaningful, homemade gifts straight from the kitchen.

Participants will:
🍪 Prepare and package delicious homemade gifts
🎁 Leave with three completed gifts ready to share
✨ Learn creative and budget-friendly gift ideas
👩‍🍳 Gain recipes and inspiration to recreate at home

Whether you're looking to add a personal touch to your holiday giving or simply enjoy a fun day in the kitchen, this workshop is sure to spark your creativity!

📅 Date: Monday, July 20th, 2026
🕒 Time: 1:30 - 3:30 pm
📍 Location: Ohio State University Extension Scioto County Learning Center, 502 Court Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662
💲 Cost: $15.00 per participant
®️ Registration Required, Link: go.osu.edu/SciotoSummerFCS

Space is limited to 15 participants, so be sure to register early!

📞 For more information contact: 740-354-7879

🎄🍪🎁✨

🇺🇸🍓 Red, White & Healthy Bites 🍓🇺🇸

Get ready for your summer celebrations with Red, White & Healthy Bites! Join us for a fun and interactive program featuring nutritious, colorful, and delicious recipes perfect for picnics, cookouts, and holiday gatherings.

Participants will:
🥗 Learn simple tips for making nutritious choices
🍽️ Enjoy recipe demonstrations
🎆 Gather ideas for healthy summer entertaining

Whether you're planning for the Fourth of July or simply looking for new healthy recipes to try, this program is sure to inspire!

📅 Date: July 1, 2026
🕒 Time: 1-2:30 pm
📍 Location: Ohio State University Extension of Scioto County Learning Center 502 Court Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
💲 Cost: $15.00 per participant
Registration Required
Registration Link: go.osu.edu/SciotoSummerFCS

Bring your appetite and join us for a celebration of healthy eating!

📞 For more information contact: 740-354-7879

🇺🇸🍉🫐

🫙 Why the science matters in home canning 🔬
Ever wondered why you can’t just “wing it” with canning times? 🤔
It’s because not all foods heat the same way inside a jar—and that matters for your safety.
Thick foods 🍲, big chunks 🥕, tightly packed jars, and even sugar or protein levels can all slow down heat pe*******on. That means some spots in the jar (called the “cold spot”) take longer to get hot enough to kill harmful bacteria.
⚠️ For low-acid foods, this is especially critical—because Clostridium botulinum (the bacteria that causes botulism) can survive if processing isn’t done correctly.
Here’s the key takeaway:
✅ Safe canning times aren’t guesses—they’re based on detailed lab testing
✅ Every food + preparation method needs its own tested process
✅ There are no shortcuts when it comes to food safety
💡 That’s why following trusted, research-based recipes is so important!
👉 Want to dig deeper into the science? Read more here: https://nchfp.uga.edu/resources/entry/backgrounder-heat-processing-of-home-canned-foods

Need your canner tested? Give us a call at 740-354-7879 to set up an appointment!

🫙 Is your pressure canner ready for the season? Don’t skip this step!
A dial gauge that’s even a little off can put your home-canned food at risk.
✔️ The USDA recommends testing it every year—quick, easy, and worth it for peace of mind!
✅ Find your local Ohio State Extension office: extension.osu.edu/lao
✅ Or request a test here: go.osu.edu/pressurecannertesting
Stay safe. Can with confidence. 💪
🔁 Share to remind a fellow home canner!

The May Grow it! Taste it! program was all about herbs! Participants joined us to make rosemary shortbread, learn about herb gardening, and add new plants to the ELC garden. We’ll have mint, basil, dill, cilantro, and more ready to harvest in no time! 🌿

Join us on June 22nd for our next session — we can’t wait to grow, learn, and taste together again!

🍽️📚 ServSafe Manager Training 📚🍽️

Need your ServSafe Manager Certification? Join us for an upcoming ServSafe Manager Training designed for food service managers and employees who need food safety certification.

Participants will learn important food safety practices including:
✅ Preventing foodborne illness
✅ Proper food handling and storage
✅ Cleaning and sanitation procedures
✅ Employee health and workplace safety

📅 Date:
July 16th and July 21st, 2026
🕒 Time:
July 16th - 8am to 5pm
July 21st - 8:30am to 1pm (Test Day)
📍 Location:
Wheelersburg Baptist Church, Community Center, 11725
Gallia Pike Road, Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694 ( building
located between Dollar General and Post Office, parking lot
is to the left of the building.)
💲 Cost:
$175 (non refundable)

The certification exam will be included as part of the training.

📞 For more information or to register, contact: FCS Educators, Dennis DeCamp and Abbie Mowen, 740-354-7879.

🌱🍅 Grow It, Taste It! 🍅🌱

Join us for Grow It, Taste It! — a fun and educational program focused on gardening, fresh foods, and healthy eating!

Participants will learn:
🌿 Tips for growing herbs
🧈 Recipe with herb as the spotlight
🌼 Ways to enjoy garden-fresh foods at home

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, this program is perfect for all skill levels!

📅 Date: May 26, 2026
🕒 Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Ohio State University Extension Scioto County
Extension Learning Center & Garden
502 Court Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
💲 Cost: FREE

We will meet inside if it is raining! Otherwise, plan to wear clothes appropriate for gardening! 👩‍🌾

Come learn, grow, and taste the benefits of fresh food! 🌟

📞 For more information contact us at 740-354-7879

Join us for this summer's Home Food Preservation webinar series, "Let's Preserve It!"
Tuesdays 12-12:30 p.m.
June 9: Methods of Preserving
June 23: Water Bath Canning Basics
July 7: Pressure Canning Basics
July 21: Freezing Basics
July 28: Drying Basics
Aug. 11: Making and Preserving Juice

Webinars are free, register required go.osu.edu/fpwebinars

Don't miss out on the upcoming programming opportunity, On My Terms, taught by our FCS Educator Dennis DeCamp!

📘✨ On My Terms® Program ✨📘

Take charge of your future with On My Terms®, an educational program designed to help adults plan ahead for important life decisions.

This program provides valuable information and resources on:
✔️ Advance care planning
✔️ Health care decisions
✔️ Financial and legal considerations
✔️ Communicating your wishes with loved ones

Planning ahead can provide peace of mind for you and your family.

📅 Date: July 8, 15,22,29, 2026
🕒 Time: 10:00am to 12:00 pm
📍 Location: Wheelersburg Baptist Church Community Center 11725 Gallia Pike Road Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694 (Building located between Dollar General and Wheelersburg Post Office, parking lot to the left of building)
💲 Cost: FREE

Join us for this informative session and learn how to make decisions on your terms.

📞 For more information or to register, contact: 740-354-7879