What is a Master Food Preserver?

Applications for the 2026 Master Food Preserver Program will open in October 2025.

Do you enjoy the art and science of food preservation? Would you like to develop expertise in food preservation? Consider becoming a Master Food Preserver.

Master Food Preservers serve to extend Extension’s education programs in food preservation to adults. The Master Food Preserver serves as a volunteer and as a resource in the community to provide the public with research-based information from New Mexico State University Extension and USDA.

Direct questions about the program to the instructor, Amber Benson, at ambenson@nmsu.edu.

Who Is Eligible To Apply?

Through an application and interview process, any New Mexico resident 18 years or older is eligible to take the Master Food Preserver course. To become a Master Food Preserver, accepted applicants must meet the following qualifications:

1. Attend the in-person, 11-part, 60-hour Master Food Preserver course including hands-on kitchen lab sessions from January - March 2026. Now available in several counties in New Mexico.
2. Complete lab quizzes and pass the final written exam.
3. Complete at least 40 hours of volunteer service as a Volunteer-Track Master Food Preserver. Entrepreneur-Track Master Food Preservers are exempt from this requirement.
4. Complete monthly reports on the number of public contacts made.

What Does the Training Cover?

During the lectures, discussions, and hands-on kitchen lab experiences, you will learn:

• the latest information on food safety and food preservation
• prevention of food-borne illness
• food storage and safety
• canning basics
• canning acid foods
• canning low-acid foods
• pickling and fermenting foods
• preserving jams and jellies
• freezing foods and drying foods
• freeze drying food products

What Does the Training Cost?

Volunteer Track

• $300 per person
• 40 hours of required volunteer work

Entrepreneur Track (limited to two applicants)

• $500 per person
• No volunteer work required

What Are Master Food Preserver Volunteer Experiences?

After completing your training, you will have an opportunity to choose your volunteer experiences. The 40-hour commitment can be fulfilled by:

• Helping others to learn and provide research-based information from NMSU Extension.
• Providing information at local farmers’ markets, fairs, or community events.
• Conducting presentations and workshops as part of a team or on your own for community groups and schools.
• Preparing educational displays, writing articles for newsletters, newspapers, social media, etc.

To learn more, review the Master Food Preserver Volunteer Role Description (PDF).

2025 Master Food Preserver Course

Applications for the 2026 Master Food Preserver Program will open in October 2025.

Date: Jan. 7 - Mar. 12
Time: 10 AM - 3 PM
Location: NMSU Bernalillo County Extension Office
1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Topics *

• Introduction & Food Safety: Fundamentals
• Water Bath Canning: Preserves
• Water Bath Canning: Pickling, Tomatoes, and Green Chile
• Pressure Canning: Vegetables and Meat
• Freezing & Drying: Freezing, Dehydrating, and Freeze Drying Fruits, Vegetables, and Meats
• Fermentation: Kombucha & Sourdough
• Fermentation: Kimchi & Kraut
• Fermentation: Cheese Making
• Food Safety: Microorganisms Role in Food Preservation
• Food Preservation Exam & Party
• ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification Class & Exam (Optional)

* Topics are subject to change based on seasonal produce availability.

Schedule

Classes by date, time, and activity. Class dates and times are subject to change.

Program Leader

Amber Benson
NMSU Assistant Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent
1510 Menaul Blvd Ext NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: 505-243-1386
Email: ambenson@nmsu.edu