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 inaugural Marion County 4-H Country Ham Auction took place on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Ham Days on the main stage. In previous years only the Grand Champion ham was sold.  This year a change was made to offer anyone participating in the 4-H Country Ham Project the opportunity to sale one of their project hams at auction. Twelve country hams cured by 4-H member were auctioned off.  4-H'ers started curing their hams back in January.  Judging took place on Monday and Andrew Bright was chosen as the Grand Champion Ham.  The auction total today with add ons from other organizations was $7,700.  All winning bids will be split between the 4-H members and the 4-H Country Project.  80% is given to the 4-H members while the remaining 20% goes to the 4-H Country Ham Project. 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 2023 State Fair. Jasmine Farmer was the 1^st place winner for her ham in her non-smoked age division.