Author: Mayla Odom
Canning jam has become one of my favorite pastimes. I give all the credit to Ms. Rosie Harris and the Winston County Self Help Cooperative for the classes they have taught. Through these workshops, I learned skills that have opened the door to preserving food and creating healthier, delicious homemade food. I have even experimented with jams that many people would not expect, such as mango and blueberry jam. My favorite so far has been the mango. I am still working on sharpening my skills to preserve other foods.
The African proverb for the day is, “Each one, teach one.” It is our responsibility to teach one another what we know. We all have knowledge that can benefit one another, and there will be times, such as now, when we must lean on each other.
On June 10, 2026, I traveled to Columbus, Mississippi, to teach my godmother, Ora Jones, and her granddaughter, Natalie Jones, how to make strawberry jam. Class was in session! I explained the importance of properly sanitizing the station, sterilizing jars, and following safe canning procedures to ensure the jam would be properly preserved. We discussed the required ingredients, the purpose of pectin, and the importance of measuring them accurately to achieve the proper consistency.
As we worked together, they learned how to prepare the strawberries, cook the mixture, and fill the jars while maintaining food safety standards. There was excitement in the room as each jar was sealed and placed aside to cool. Natalie even got to taste the foam that was taken from the top of the jam. “It is so good”, Natalie said. Ora Jones stated, “I haven’t canned in years. My mama always did it, and now I can see that it takes time and patience.”
This experience was about more than making jam. It’s about passing down knowledge, preserving traditions, and empowering each other with skills they can use for years to come. By the end of the day, Ora and Natalie had not only learned how to make strawberry jam but had also gained confidence in their ability to continue canning on their own. Moments like these remind us that when we share what we know, we help strengthen our families and communities one lesson at a time.
