Baker City, Oregon — Baker County Library District and Oregon State University (OSU) Extension in Baker County have partnered to launch a Library of Things focused on food preservation. Through this innovative program, residents can borrow tools such as dehydrators, water bath canners, steam canners, pressure canners, a basic canning kit, and educational resources — all free of charge — to safely preserve fresh, local foods at home.

The program, supported by a grant from the Trust for Civic Life (TFCL), builds on lessons from a successful 2023–2024 pilot project led by Libraries of Eastern Oregon (LEO) and OSU staff with support from the Roundhouse Foundation. That initiative paired Eastern Oregon libraries with their local OSU Extension faculty to create food preservation and food security–focused Library of Things collections. Participating LEO libraries include Hood River, Nyssa, Harney, Joseph, Southern Wasco Library in Maupin, and Nyssa.

TFCL invests in projects that encourage “everyday democracy” by bringing people together across divides through trusted community institutions such as public libraries and Extension services. By celebrating local harvests, sharing expertise, and providing access to preservation tools, the project aims to connect a wide range of community members — from backyard gardeners and hunters to families preparing for winter or people making homemade gifts.

In addition to equipment lending, the program offers hands-on training for library staff and free public workshops led by OSU Extension Family and Community Health faculty. Participants will learn safe, research-based preservation methods to ensure both food safety and quality.

“We’re excited to partner with the Baker County Library on this effort,” said Barbara Brody, Associate Professor with OSU Extension. “This project is about more than just equipment — it’s about empowering people with the skills and confidence to preserve their own food, reduce waste, and increase access to nutritious, shelf-stable meals year-round.”

“The library is pleased to participate in this program because it not only promotes healthier, natural-food diets but also helps stretch limited household budgets,” said Perry Stokes, Director of Baker County Public Library. “For many in our community living on fixed incomes, learning to preserve fresh food can make a real difference. And it can be a wonderful way of connecting generations and honoring our elders who’ve practiced these methods for decades.”

Free community workshops will be held at Baker County Public Library on October 10 (Intro to Preservation), Oct 17 (Dehydrating), and Oct 24 (Canning) at 5:30 p.m. Classes are open to adults, and no registration fee is required. Baker County Library plans to begin loaning its preservation tools for two-week periods following the series of workshops. Borrowers will be required to complete a liability agreement and return items in good condition and fully cleaned.

By combining accessible public spaces with OSU Extension’s educational mission, the Food Preservation Library of Things provides practical tools for addressing rising food costs, food security challenges, and community connection — especially in rural areas where shared resources make the biggest difference. .

For more information about equipment availability or upcoming workshops, visit the Baker County Library website www.bakerlib.org or the OSU Extension site at extension.oregonstate.edu/baker.

About OSU Extension Service

The Oregon State University Extension Service shares research-based knowledge to help communities solve problems, build capacity, and thrive. Extension serves all Oregonians through a statewide network of faculty and community partners.

About Baker County Library District

Baker County Library District provides free public library services through its central library in Baker City, five branch libraries, and a bookmobile serving rural communities. The library offers access to books, digital resources, educational programs, and community services designed to inspire learning, foster connection, and support lifelong enrichment for all residents of Baker County.