The Ellis County Extension Office will offer two canning workshops for those who want to learn or review proper skills and resources for home food preservation.

The first — “Not Your Grandma’s Pickles!” — is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main.

Karen Blakeslee, K-State food science specialist, will be the workshop instructor.

Learn the science of safe home food preservation, pickling pointers and the basics of water bath canning. Participants will work together to prepare dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, pickled pepper rings, and zucchini relish. Everyone will take home at least one jar of pickles.

The cost is $15 per person and includes a simple lunch and workshop supplies. Class size is limited to 18 people, first-come, first-served. Youth are also welcome, although ages 12 and older recommended. A minimum attendance is required to hold this class.

The second workshop — “The ABCss of Canning Sensational Salsas, Tomatoes and Fruits” — will be from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at WaKeeney First United Methodist Church, 500 Summit, WaKeeney. A $10 fee is required to cover expenses. A minimum of 10 people is necessary with a maximum of 15 participants to hold the workshop.

Participants will work together to can salsa, another tomato product and possibly an in-season fruit and take home some products at the conclusion of the workshop.

Instructors are Tranda Watts, Multi-County Extension Specialist in Twin Creeks and Golden Prairie Extension Districts, and Linda Beech, Ellis County Extension FCS Agent.

To enroll in either of these food preservation workshops, register and pay fees one week in advance at the Ellis County Extension Office, 601 Main, Hays, (785) 628-9430. Space is limited, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.