The 4-H Country Ham Project teaches youth about food production and Kentucky’s rich history with country ham. Marion County is home to the Marion County Country Ham Days, so the project has a deeper connection with our kids and community. 

The certified livestock leader came up with the idea to have a 4-H Country Ham Project Interest meeting to promote the project.  The leader invited Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, UK Meats Specialist to give a presentation about what the project was about.  21 kids signed up to participate in the 2023 Country Ham Project.  This was over an 80% increase in participation from the previous year.  

Each year during the week of Ham Days, youth in the project can choose to enter their ham in the judging for the Champion Ham that will be sold on the main stage right before the Pigasus Parade.  The 4-H members ham was auctioned off for a record $3,100 as a collective bid between Marion County Cattleman’s Association, Marion County Farm Bureau, Ag. Credit and the May and Parman Agency. These organizations donated the ham back to be auctioned again and the Earl Sandusky family was the winning bidder for an additional $1100.  Twelve youth have committed to auctioning off their hams in September of 2023.  The proceeds will be split between the 4-H member and their family and the Marion County 4-H Livestock Club.  Youth are encouraged to recruit bidders for their ham and are working on their "Ham Talk" to educate potential buyers about the ham curing process and are learning valuable communication skills.

Marion County 4-H member Anna Mattingly was the Overall Champion in her non-smoked ham age division at the 2022 State Fair. Jasmine Farmer was the 1^st place winner for her ham in her non-smoked age division.