A great intro to home canning is on design*sponge by Ashley English.
Ashley writes:

For many, the answer for what to do with all that fruit and veg deliciousness lies in home canning. A new wave of canners, thinking outside the jar, are holding jam sessions and finding themselves in a pickle with unmatched enthusiasm. In fact, next weekend, August 29-30, Canning Across America (their tagline is “Join the Canvolution!”) is planning a huge kick-off, with nationwide how-to classes, demonstrations, and home canning parties (my friend Nicole and I are thinking of hosting one ourselves!). Let’s take a look at the world of home canning and go over some “simmering” questions and “boiling” concerns.