EDITED TO ADD: See my 2011 photo album on Facebook!
I really love the county fair, with its creepy carnival rides, heart-attack food, and exhibits of animals and food products. I’ll be there today with the Master Food Preservers and other Extension groups ready to talk about food safety and preservation to anyone in hearing range. My shift is 12-2 p.m. Come say hi! It’s over at the, duh, Fairgrounds at 13th and Jefferson/Friendly/Jackson.
Some of my MFP colleagues are judges in the food-in-jars competition, and that’s always fun, too. New canners should definitely stop by to see some of these gorgeous pickles and crystal clear jellies and broths. I always get good ideas from the preserved products I see.
How will the elimination of 4-H from our county affect the animal show this year and in subsequent years? I know that Lane County program directors and teachers have been traveling long distances to other counties to continue their work with 4-H kids, and I’d imagine the kids have been displaced, too. Will they continue to show up at our fair?
By the way, if you’re interested in learning more about the preservation techniques you’ll see at the fair, check out our Master Food Preserver Alliance Facebook page for more information about classes. I think there are still spaces left in the tomato canning and meat canning classes. (MFP tomato/salsa class on August 26 and the meat canning class on September 23. $15/class. Call 541-344-4885 for information.) Tuna are all full, but we’re taking a (rather long) list of interested parties for next year. Also, more classes to come in fall and spring!
Culinaria Eugenius 