Reminders From Mary Loftis

Animal Science Open House – Sept 23 – Lincoln

The Animal Science Open House will be held this fall on September 23 from 6 – 8 pm at the Animal Science Complex at UNL.  This will be a great opportunity for youth, parents, and staff to come and learn more about the opportunities at UNL.  There will also be educational stations and representatives from the student organizations.

Please mark this date on your calendars.  More details will follow including a promotion flyer.  This event was formerly called the Companion Animal and Equine Open house but will be expanded to include other department programs. If you have any questions please contact: Katherine L. Potthoff at: kpotthoff1@unl.edu or 402-472-9021.

Food Preservation Reminders:

Many of you are busy canning, freezing or drying produce at this time of year. Sometimes these activities bring questions concerning how to, how long, etc.

If you need a fast answer to a question, check the UNL Food Preservation webpages for information at:http://food.unl.edu/preservation. This resource provides safe, tested recipes you can use with complete confidence.

You can also find answers to frequently asked questions on the UNL pinterest board that Carol Larvick curates at: http://www.pinterest.com/nebraskacarol/unl-canning-and-freezing/

Remember: It is important that you use the correct directions for your altitude. All of Burt County is over 1,000 ft., thus it will require additional time when canning – this is true for hot water bath canning or pressure canning. If you want to check out other locations in Nebraska there is a link to a Nebraska altitude map at the bottom of the web page at: http://food.unl.edu/preservation

If you want to check the accuracy of your gauged pressure canner, you are welcome to bring the lid to the UNL Extension Office in Burt County and we can check it with our tester. Please call before you come to make sure someone is in the office who can help you. Call 402-374-2929.

Weighted gauge canners do not need to be checked, unless they are damaged in any way and then they should not be used. You do need to make sure you use the 15 lb. weight when canning above our 1000 ft., above sea level altitude. Also make sure your rubber gasket and safety valve are not hard and cracked as this could be dangerous.

This is a great project for 4-H members to get started on (and completed) WAY before next year’s fair season and right now there is not a lot of competition in this area! See what’s in your garden, look over the fence at your neighbors and see if they are willing to share or check out what is on sale so you can get started. Make sure you use USDA approved recipes and methods so you end up with unquestionably safe food items.

Canning items for exhibit at the county fair is great for everyone, not just 4-H members as there are always Open Class entries for anyone to enter. This year the Champion Open Class Food Preservation exhibit was later donated to a political fundraising auction and brought $80 for a pint of canned asparagus! You never know how valuable the skills of food preservation might be!

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu