Livestock and livestock products account for about half of Kentucky's farm income. Therefore, the role of livestock and livestock projects in the Kentucky 4-H curriculum is fundamentally important. Youth must understand the role of agriculture in their daily lives, and the importance of livestock and livestock products in the type, kind and quality of the foods that they eat.

The Country Ham Project is one of many agriculture-based projects offered through 4-H. Through this program youth learn about the process of curing a country ham and cure their own hams! Youth are also expected to prepare a speech on one of the many topics relating to the project from the history of the country ham to bugs that can infest them. These speeches along with their hams are then presented before judges at the state fair. This last year we have seen an increase in participation in the program and have also had 5 youth from our county place at the state level in their age category.

This program has seen major growth over the last few years with well over 1,000 participants in 2023. As these youth grow, they will take with them the processes learned through this project and will be able to share them with many others to come.