The problem

Retaining senior 4-H members and recruiting CEC members

The educational program response

4-H livestock country ham lessons, opportunity to invite adult members to participate 

The participants/target audience

4-H members, adults interested in food processes

Other partners (if applicable)

UK Meats Lab, Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, Regina Browning, Finchville Farms, Michael Tony Rose

Program impact or participant response.

“The practice of curing country hams dates back centuries, long before modern storage methods were available.  …people kept their food from spoiling by packing it in a mixture of salt and other spices and stored it for an extended period… Modern technology allows for other ways of preserving food, the way country hams are cured now is very much the same as it was long ago” Kentucky Farm Bureau News March 2018.  

The Kenton County 4-H County Ham project provides the opportunity for youth who do not have an animal project to participate in livestock education and awareness.  Youth attend six hours of educational programming conducted by certified 4-H livestock volunteers and are encouraged to attend education programs specifically about country hams.  Youth members receive two hams in January which are dry cured at the Kenton County Extension Office.  The hams cure in the building adapted for use and provided at the Extension Office.   The agent involved provides regular building maintenance and watches the weather strategically for insect populations and resolves concerns as needed.  Youth have learned to look for insects, bug casings, and how an insect could affect their ham project.  Youth regularly describe the curing process to those who do not understand how meat can air cure and not become rancid hanging in a cotton sock outside.  Many of these educational interactions and descriptions are included in the speech’s youth members develop as part of the ham project.  

Speech practice sessions evaluated by volunteer leaders are held prior to each State Fair to encourage youth to improve speech content and presentation skills.   Youth have reported feeling a sense of accomplishment when they are praised at a family holiday meal where their country ham is served.  "Giving ham speeches has helped me be more comfortable and feel more confident when having to speak in front of my class at school" Cailin age 13, four year 4-H member.  The prior statement is from Cailin when she was 13, she is now an 18 year old project member headed to college to study medicine.  She has led multiple tours of her school and given countless presentations; she credits 4-H speech practice with her confidence.  The ham project has also provided the opportunity for Cailin to apply for six different scholarships to support her college education.  A second senior 4-H member created beautiful infographics about country hams to help with the educational process for younger 4-H members.  She has also worked with younger youth to find creative ways to improve their speeches, so their speeches stand out at the state event.  These 4-H members are serving as role models for our younger youth members. 

Country hams have also provided the opportunity for adults to work with youth completing a project.  Four County Extension Council members, 3 are representing underserved audiences or geographic areas are completing ham projects.  The adult portion of this project has allowed adults to learn about 4-H projects as well as produce a product for their family.

Several youth members have donated hams to be used in a local feeding program for the underprivileged.  Since 2011, 96 youth and 20 adults have cured country hams, a value added of approximately $16,240.  

Agent maintains ham house, spray schedule, cleaning house, supplies, storing supplies, setting up practice for speeches, providing speech resources for youth, providing sprayer, insecticides, house at extension office, research and stain the house, repairs, fans, screen, provide socks, cure mix,   etc,