General Gardening Information

Farmers' Markets
Local Farmer's Markets are a place to buy locally grown food and products. Buying local foods is good for your health, your community, the environment, and the economy. Check out the local list of Stevens County Farmers’ Markets.

Pressure Canner Testing
During the off season (October through June) pressure canner testing is done by appointment. Plan to leave your gauge for at lease 30 minutes. Call Ivy at WSU Stevens County Extension, 509-684-2588, for an appointment.

Testing your pressure canner will determine whether
your canner is functioning properly and helping
you produce safe food. 

Why Test? Testing your pressure canner will determine whether your canner is functioning properly and helping you produce a safe food. Pressure canning is the only recommended method for canning meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. The risk associated with preserving these low-acid foods is botulism poisoning.   Botulism is caused by a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria are rarely if ever destroyed at boiling-water temperatures. At the higher temperatures of a pressure canner, they are easier to destroy. All lot-acid foods should be processed at temperatures of 240 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, temperatures reached with pressure canners when operated at 10 to 15 pounds of pressure.

Weeds
Have a weed question. Contact the Stevens County Weed Board at 509.684.7590 or 

weedboard@co.stevens.wa.us