The Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Project gives young people the opportunity to learn about food preservation and the time honored tradition and history of country hams.  This project continues to grow in popularity in Campbell County and across Kentucky.

The project begins in the cold weather month of January when each participant receives two raw hams.  Project members must trim the hams, apply cure mix. wrap them and put them in socks to hang until spring.  Next, the hams are cleaned and hung in a clean sock until August when its time to get ready for the Kentucky State Fair.  In preparing for the fair, the hams are cleaned and the best one is selected to go to Louisville, to be judged and put on display in Cloverville.  

On opening day of the fair, nearly 800 4-Hers from across the state go to the fair and give a 3-5 minute speech on a pre-selected topic such as "How to cure a country ham" or "How to design a country ham house." For the majority of the youth this is their first trip to the state fair and their first experience in public speaking Consequently, communication skills are also gained by participating in this hands-on project.  

This year Campbell County 4-H had fifteen youth participate in this project and one won champion for his age group at the Kentucky State Fair.  All of the youth were anxious about giving a speech but after it was over said that they would participate again next year.