Dry it. Store it. Eat it. Anywhere, anytime!
Curious about food dehydration but don’t know where to start? This beginner-friendly Brain-Raising workshop breaks down the essentials of drying food for long-term storage and lightweight, ready-to-eat meals for camping and backpacking. Learn from community members in a fun and social setting. We’ll cover different dehydration methods, compare equipment, and share best practices for maximizing shelf life and food quality.
When: We’ll schedule this workshop again when we get at least 12 pre-registrants.
Where: Bend/Redmond
Ticket Price: Contribute-What-You-Can
Get First in Line! Pre-Register!
Pre-registration is free; we only charge your credit card when we’re ready to schedule (and you say ok). When 12 people pre-register, we’ll set up the next workshop!
The Details
The Science of Drying
Understand how dehydration preserves food by removing moisture while retaining nutrients and flavor. We’ll discuss the best foods for dehydration, common mistakes, and how to spot properly dried foods.
Choosing Your Method
Not all dehydration techniques are created equal! We’ll compare food dehydrators, oven drying, and air drying—breaking down the pros, cons, and best uses for each method.
Packing & Storing
Learn how to store dehydrated foods for long-term use and discover lightweight storage solutions for backpacking, camping, and on-the-go meals.
Potluck Time! Feed Friends
Nothing says community like a potluck. Breaking bread while building bridges, so to speak. This workshop will include a potluck, a chance to talk about what you are learning, share experiences, and get to know one another. We’ll supply the main protein. Please bring something along to share with your neighbors!
Brain-Raising Workshop
We Need You to Guest Star!
Brain-Raising workshops are community-led workshops. We find local people with tons of lived experience share what they know with their neighbors. It’s a fun, social, learning experience. We provide an expert Dehydration Guide to provide an authoritative backdrop to the conversation. Our Guides only use content from colleges, research centers, government agencies, and non-profits. You’ll meet new friends, and learn from your neighbors, and be able to share what you know too. Super fun!
Join school of ranch
Save 20% On This Workshop!
Join School of Ranch and get 20% off all workshops for a year. Your membership helps us cover our costs. Being non-profit doesn’t mean you can lose money! We need your support and nothing shows support as much as a membership.
frequently asked questions
How should I dress?
Dress comfortably for a classroom environment.
What should I bring?
- A notebook and pen for taking notes.
- We’ll be emailing recipes in advance—feel free to print them and bring them along.
- A dish to share for the potluck!
Will there be food?
Yes! There will be a potluck! Bring something to share with your neighbors.
Can kids attend?
Yes, children are welcome with an accompanying adult. Everyone must have their own ticket!
What is School of Ranch?
School of Ranch is a Central Oregon based 501c3 nonprofit. We hire experienced locals to teach practical and artisan skills, live and in person. Beyond teaching skills and helping grow our workshop leader’s businesses, we create common ground for neighbors. School of Ranch brings together people regardless of politics, age, background or beliefs.