The Extension Institute of Health & Well-Being works to catalyze positive change in Wisconsin families through evidence-based programs focused on nutrition, food security and safety, chronic disease prevention, mental health promotion, prevention of substance abuse and health insurance literacy.
Join the constellation! Across our county, departments shine like stars, and these FREE Wisconsin Idea Week events bring them into alignment for something extraordinary: A chance to see what Extension, Public Health, and other departments can do for you! All of these events are FREE, and open to the public. Registration is required for all […]
Read More...
Does your child (6-14 years old) have moderate to high levels of anxiety that causes significant distress or impact on their everyday functioning? This program aims to help parents develop a toolbox of strategies and choose the most effective to respond to their child’s anxiety. Tuesdays, February 3 – March 10, 2026Virtual via Zoom 9:00am […]
Read More...
Heat Sources for Stovetop Canners What Heat Source can I use for the Presto Stovetop Pressure Canner? This is a question we received from a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. Quick answer—Presto stovetop canners are versatile and will work on gas, electric coil, and electric smooth top (glass top) ranges. There are though, some qualifiers […]
Read More...
Steam Canning Steam canning, also known as atmospheric steam canning, is a great alternative to water bath canning for most high-acid foods with a pH below 4.6. Examples include most fruits, jams, jellies, pickled products, sauerkraut, preserves, salsa and acidified tomatoes. Steam canning uses less water, which reduces the canner weight and efficiently heats it […]
Read More...
Spring Clean Your Freezer Once you have a full inventory list from your freezer, use this list for future planning. If the freezer is quite full, “grocery shop” and meal plan from the freezer to make space for the produce you want to preserve in the coming months. If you notice you still have a […]
Read More...
Growing season is just around the corner. We encourage you to look ahead to get prepared for canning season. For Consumers: Did you know? Canning has made a big comeback with sales of Presto canners increasing 15% over the last 10 years. UW-Madison Division of Extension agents work with local residents to test gauges to […]
Read More...
Preparing and Planning for the Year Ahead Welcome to 2025! Have you considered what you will be preserving later this year? While it seems early to think about, it is the time to plan for your future needs. Different varieties of produce have different results in different home-processed products. So, it is important to consider […]
Read More...
Helpful Hints for Gifting Home-Preserved Goodies Many home-preservers share their products with others. Holiday gifts might include a basket of home-canned foods such as jelly or salsa. However, remember that you are responsible for the safety of the foods you are sharing. That safety starts with a tested recipe from a trusted, reliable resource. If […]
Read More...
Pressure Cooker vs. Pressure Canner – Are They the Same? Does it matter which one you use to preserve your food? The answer is YES! A pressure cooker is not designed to preserve food. When food is preserved or “canned” a specific temperature is needed for a certain amount of time to reduce microorganism levels […]
Read More...
Presto received very positive feedback about the first issue of their newsletter Let’s Preserve Together, designed specifically for the Cooperative Extension community. Attached is their latest issue. They would like this newsletter to be a valuable resource for you. Please contact them with questions that they will answer in a future newsletter, or suggestions on […]
Read More...
