Elderberries and preservation materials.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Food Systems Professional Kate McCarty will be joined by a Master Food Preserver Volunteer for a workshop on preserving elderberries on August 11 in Falmouth.

UMaine Extension offers workshop on preserving elderberries

July 28, 2026 Cumberland, Food and Health, In-Person, News

FALMOUTH, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a workshop on preserving elderberries on Tuesday, August 11 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the UMaine Regional Learning Center, 75 Clearwater Drive in Falmouth.

UMaine Extension Food Systems Professional Kate McCarty and a Master Food Preserver Volunteer will lead this hands-on workshop on preserving elderberries. Because elderberry season is short in Maine, learning how to safely preserve these nutritious fruits allows you to enjoy their flavor and benefits long after harvest. In this interactive class, participants will learn the best practices for freezing, drying, and preserving elderberries in syrups and jellies. Instructors will also discuss food safety considerations and techniques for maintaining the quality and flavor of elderberries. Participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience while making and taking home their own elderberry products. 

The fee is $20 and advance registration is required on the Preserving Elderberries webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Pamela Hargest at pamela.hargest@maine.edu or 207.949.4524.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety, and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H, which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.