Extension Hosts Canned Goods Competition

By: Kim Terrell

Clay County FCS Agent

Clay County Cooperative Extension is inviting local residents to showcase their home food

preservation skills during the From Garden to Jar Home Preserved Food Contest.

The contest will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of Clay County Ag Day. It is open

exclusively to Clay County residents and will recognize the local tradition of preserving food

safely at home.

Entries may include preserved fruits, vegetables, meats, sauces, pickles, relishes, jams, jellies,

dehydrated foods and other eligible products. Entries will be judged within their respective

categories, with blue, red and white ribbons awarded in each division.

Judges will consider whether an entry was prepared using a current, tested recipe and the correct

processing method and time. They will also evaluate the product’s appearance in the jar,

including its pack, liquid, headspace and overall appearance. Products will not be tasted.

All entries must follow current, research-based home food preservation guidelines from the

National Center for Home Food Preservation. Each entry must be labeled with the product name,

processing method, and processing time. Products must also be submitted in standard canning

jars of the size specified for their category.

Entries should be delivered to the Clay County Cooperative Extension office Sept. 21–23.

Winners will be announced during Clay County Ag Day on Sept. 26.

Entries may be picked up from the Extension office Sept. 29–30 following the contest.

Complete contest rules, categories and registration information are available through the Clay

County Cooperative Extension office, located at 25 Riverside Circle, Suite 2, in Hayesville or

online at clay.ces.ncsu.edu. For more information, call 828-389-6305.