Series of food workshops to be hosted by Allamakee County ISU Extension during August and September

The Allamakee County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Office will be offering three workshops designed to empower attendees with the skills and confidence to master the art of fermentation, create sourdough, and ensure a food business thrives with the highest safety standards. The Allamakee County offerings are part of a series of workshops being offered throughout the state of Iowa.

A Sourdough Workshop is being offered Tuesday, August 12 from 1-3 p.m. at Allamakee County Extension and Outreach, 218 7th Avenue SE, Suite #102 in Waukon. Register at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/blackhawk/sourdough-workshops.

Join this workshop to discover the history of sourdough starter and the key differences between dried yeast and sourdough starter, along with their unique roles in baking. Master the art of starter maintenance, gaining the skills to care for and maintain a thriving sourdough starter. Learn to troubleshoot common sourdough issues and solve problems that may arise.

Additionally, attendees will learn essential techniques for mixing, stretching, and folding a mini loaf, which they then can take home to ferment and bake. Finally, indulge in a delicious batch of fermented focaccia and explore the many ways to use sourdough discard and an active starter.

A Food Entrepreneur Best Practices workshop is also being offered Tuesday, August 12 from 4-6 p.m. at Allamakee County Extension and Outreach, 218 7th Avenue SE, Suite #102 in Waukon. Register at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/blackhawk/food-entrepreneur-best-pract....

Food Entrepreneurs will have hands-on practice learning how to take pH and soluble solids readings on food products and practice how to keep the necessary records for selling food products. Learn best practices to help offer consistently high-quality food products customers will come to expect.

Learn about batch testing available at ISU, how to establish standard operating practices for a home business and what is required on labels.

A Fermentation Workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 from 1-3 p.m. at Allamakee County Extension and Outreach, 218 7th Ave SE, Suite #102 in Waukon. Register  at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/blackhawk/fermentation-workshops.

Explore the history of fermented vegetables. Uncover the health benefits of fermented foods and why they are great for gut health.  Get tips for avoiding common fermentation problems. Leave with skills and confidence to start fermenting a jar of Kimchi at home.