Boo and I got a dehydrator a couple of years back.
Made some dehydrated fruits, fruit roll ups and my favorite Jerky, yum.
Without really realizing it I had included ingredients in my jerky that extended the shelf life.
Honey, it has a very long shelf life
Chili peppers, the dried crushed type
And Hot sauce.
Boo and the daughter hated it, it was too hot , so I got to eat it all.
My favorite hot sauce, Choulula, I really don't like the vinegar types of hot sauce. But the vinegar will also extend the shelf life of foods.

http://www.cholula.com/

We got the ground meat jerky thingy, stuff the ground meat in it and it spits out strips. Even did some turkey jerky.
We also have a vacuum sealer
Anyways, give it a try and by all means be creative. If others don't like it you get to eat it all

yea i like to make things hot too that way i get to eat it all