Farmers markets and canning classes abound

Opening day 2012 in Cramerton - from Cramerton Facebook

Get your pick at three weekly markets, then learn how to preserve with help from these classes

June 1, 2012 – The Catawba River District is blessed this summer with three weekly farmers markets in the district or close by.

For those of us wanting to set by this bounty (or the bounty of our own gardens), we also have some upcoming classes on food preservation, such as hot-water and pressure-cooker canning.

We even can get a sneak look at what the local food vendors will bring to market in the coming week, thanks to each market's Facebook page.

Here are the details.

Enjoy it fresh

Belmont Farmers Market – 6:30-9:30 Fridays through autumn in the empty lot in downtown Belmont. Get details on FACEBOOK. You can EMAIL market manager Kevin Cline or call him at 704-747-2323

Mount Holly Farmers Market – 8 am-noon Saturdays at 130 S. Main St. Get current details on FACEBOOK. You can EMAIL market manager Leigh Brinkley or call her weekdays at 704-372-8666

Cramerton Farmers Market – 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at the Town Center 8^th, 9^th and Center streets. Get details on FACEBOOK. You can EMAIL market manager Cristy Busler or call her weekdays at 704-824-4337

Preserve more for later

The Gaston and Mecklenburg offices of the NC Cooperative Extension are offering classes in food preservation, both hands-on and on line.

The Gaston Extension offers classes in Gastonia at the Lucile Tatum Center, 959 Osceola St., and in Lincolnton at the James W. Warren Citizens Center, 115 W. Main St. Upcoming classes include the basics of pressure canning, the basics of canning (hot-water bath) and pickles.

CLICK to view the full schedule and get registration details. Contact for many of the Gaston classes is Linda Minges.  EMAIL Linda or call 704-922-2127 to learn more.

The Mecklenburg Extension is offering “The Summer Home Food Preservation Institute,” beginning with the on-line free course, Basics of Home Food Preservation on June 4 and concluding with Canning and Preserving the Harvest on July 22. Locations and costs vary by class.

CLICK for details and to register. Call 704-336-2082 for more details and to register by phone.