As interest grows in gardening and home canning, workshops will be offered to teach food preservation skills.

Karen From, regional nutrition specialist with University of Missouri Extension, said last year, she received many calls from people with questions about preserving vegetables of all types.

"People are really into canning salsa," she said.

Sometimes, however, the recipe is not safe for canning or people may be using outdated methods.

"Vegetables have changed in acidity," she said. "There are ways to can and preserve so everyone can be safe."

Three workshops this month on canning and preserving will teach the basics to beginners and offer brush-up tips to others.

"The best thing about canning is just to do it and see how it works," Ms. From said.

The first class will be tonight at the Lions Club Building in Forest City. The other classes are May 13 at the Buchanan County Extension Office in St. Joseph; and May 18 at the Clasbey Center in Savannah. Each class is from 6 to 8 p.m.

The class will discuss basic canning equipment, low and high acid canning, when to use pressure canning or hot water bath, and safety issues.

The cost of the program is $25, which includes the book "So Easy to Preserve." Ms. From said the detailed book lists step-by-step instructions written by food preservation researchers.

Call (660) 582-8101 to register before the workshop.