Topeka MAG — Meat Canning Workshop with Angela Allard of Grumpy Acres Farm

Few skills pay back like the ability to preserve meat at home. This August, the Topeka MAG welcomes Angela Allard of Grumpy Acres Farm for a hands-on meat canning workshop that takes the mystery (and the worry) out of pressure canning. Meat is one of the highest-value, highest-risk foods to put up — done right, a jar of home-canned beef or chicken can feed a family for pennies and sit safely on a shelf for years; done wrong, it can be dangerous. Angela walks us through the whole process the right way: selecting and prepping cuts, packing methods (raw vs. hot pack), dialing in your pressure canner for our altitude, safe processing times, and how to test a seal you can trust. We'll cover the gear you actually need vs. the gear that's just nice to have, how to troubleshoot cloudy liquid or failed seals, and how to build a pantry rotation that keeps your family fed through winter, power outages, and lean seasons. Whether you've never touched a canner or you're looking to refine your technique, you'll leave with a clear, repeatable process and the confidence to put up your own meat at home. Bring a notebook and your questions — and bring a friend. Preparedness is better in community.