UNIVERSITY PARK  — Penn State Extension will offer in-person food preservation workshops in McKean, Potter and Jefferson counties this June and July.

Instructors will present research-backed information to help dispel food preservation myths, point out unsafe practices and offer practical tips to ensure a positive experience when preserving food at home.

These workshops will help attendees — whether seasoned experts or beginners — to gain valuable food-preservation skills, organizers noted.

Workshop topics, times, dates and locations are as follows:

Home Food Preservation: Introduction to Preserving — Participants can learn how to use a pressure canner based on current U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for canning low acid foods such as vegetables and meat; the basics of using a water bath or atmospheric steam canner for canning high acid foods such as fruits, tomatoes, pickles, salsa, jam and jelly; best practices for ensuring quality frozen food; and best practices for drying foods safely. This workshop is slated for 6 to 8 p.m. June 19 at Eldred First Church of God, 142 S. Main St.

Home Food Preservation: Pressure Canning — Learn the science behind pressure canning recommendations as well as the basics of using a pressure canner based on current USDA canning guidelines. This 90-minute workshop will begin at 1 p.m. July 16 at the Jefferson County office of Penn State Extension, 186 Main St., Suite 3, Brookville.

Home Food Preservation: Atmospheric Steam Canning — Participants can learn the basics of atmospheric steam canning. Instructors will cover recommendations on acidifying tomatoes, the use of salt and sugar, and principles of canning high-acid foods such as tomatoes, pickles, salsa, fruits, jams and jellies. This session will be held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 17 at the Potter County office of Penn State Extension, 216 Gunzburger Building, 1 N. Main St., Coudersport.

Home Food Preservation: Freezing — Although freezing is a long-established method to preserve foods, recent advances have deepened our understanding of the science behind it. This session will provide preparation tips and safe processing methods for successfully preserving foods via freezing at home. The 90-minute workshop will start at 5:30 p.m. July 17 at the Potter County office of Penn State Extension, 216 Gunzburger Building.

The registration fee for each workshop is $15, and preregistration is required. To register or for more information, call (877) 345-0691 or visit the Penn State Extension website.