Learn to Preserve Your Harvest at Hands-On Canning and Fermentation Workshop in West Houston
If you've ever had more tomatoes than you know what to do with—or you've been curious about pickling, fermenting, or canning your own food—this upcoming workshop in West Houston is for you.
On Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Harris County Master Gardeners, in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is hosting a Preserving the Harvest Workshop at the Steve Radack Community Center, located at 18650 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084. This full-day, hands-on event will introduce attendees to the basics of fermentation and pressure canning, two traditional food preservation techniques that are making a big comeback.
Whether you’re an avid backyard gardener or just want to cut back on food waste and save money at the store, this workshop offers a fun and practical way to get started with safe, at-home food preservation. The $50 registration fee includes lunch, all materials, and two canned goods you’ll take home yourself.
Learn from Local Experts You Can Trust
The workshop is being hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, a statewide education network that brings research-backed knowledge on gardening, nutrition, and home living directly into local communities.
Helping lead the event are the Harris County Master Gardeners, a volunteer group that operates through AgriLife Extension. Their story goes back to the 1980s, when Harris County became one of the first in Texas to launch a Master Gardener program. Since then, they’ve grown into one of the largest and most active programs in the state.
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Master Gardeners are everyday people who love gardening and want to give back. After receiving specialized training through AgriLife Extension, they volunteer their time to help others learn how to grow, tend, and preserve food. Whether they’re answering questions, teaching classes, or helping at community gardens, they’re a hands-on part of making horticulture more accessible to everyone.
Thanks to their guidance and experience, this workshop offers more than just information—it’s a chance to learn directly from people who are passionate about sharing their skills and growing something good in the community.
Why Fermentation and Pressure Canning?
During the workshop, you’ll learn all about fermentation, a natural preservation method that uses healthy bacteria to break down food. It’s a popular technique for making things like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles—and it’s great for gut health, thanks to the probiotics created in the process.
You’ll also dive into the world of pressure canning, which is used for preserving low-acid foods like green beans, carrots, or soups. Unlike boiling water canning, pressure canning safely processes foods at a higher temperature, which helps eliminate harmful bacteria and keeps your food shelf-stable for much longer.
Together, these two methods give you options for preserving what you grow or buy in bulk—and for preparing foods that are both delicious and nutritious. They’re also valuable skills to have on hand in case of power outages or supply chain disruptions.
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Roll Up Your Sleeves and Take Home the Results
What makes this workshop especially unique is that it’s completely hands-on. You won’t just watch a demo—you’ll get to prep, preserve, and seal your own jars right alongside experienced instructors.
By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with two canned products you’ve made yourself, along with the confidence to keep practicing your new skills at home.
It's a great way to meet others in the community, learn something useful, and bring a little bit of that old-fashioned kitchen know-how back into your routine.
Event Details
- Event: Preserving the Harvest Workshop – Fermentation & Pressure Canning
- Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
- Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Rd., Houston, TX 77084 (MAP)
- Cost: $50 (includes lunch and two take-home canned goods)
- Registration: square.link/u/pHNIzXvF
- Hosted by: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension & Harris County Master Gardeners
Whether you’re looking to preserve your summer garden bounty, learn a new life skill, or just enjoy a fun day out with like-minded neighbors, this workshop is a great way to get started. Spots are limited, so don’t wait to register!
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
