Food preservation is a key homesteading skill. It can be done in several ways, such as canning, drying, fermenting, and freezing. Canning involves placing foods in jars and heating them to a temperature that destroys micro-organisms that cause food to spoil. Drying removes the water from foods, which bacteria, yeast, and molds need to grow. Fermentation uses beneficial bacteria to preserve food and add flavors. And freezing slows the growth of microorganisms and enzymes that cause food spoilage. The method you choose often depends on the type of food you're preserving and your personal preferences.