Creating the next generation of agriculture aware citizens has been stressed as a priority for Metcalfe County 4-H. A large percentage of Metcalfe County citizens are employed in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries. In response, Metcalfe County 4-H conducts the 4-H Country Ham Project annually. Metcalfe County 4-H Council receives a grant for the GOAP to off-set the cost of the hams for our families. This makes it more affordable for our youth. This project offers an opportunity for youth to engage in livestock education through the course of a program year as they dry cure two country hams. The hams are cured in January and hung in ham socks. They are washed twice then the youth select the ham their best ham to be taken to the Kentucky State Fair in August where they are judged. In addition, participating youth are tasked with writing a speech on one of two prompted topics, dependent on their age. While their hams are judged, at the Kentucky State Fair, the youth give their speeches to volunteer judges and their speech scores are factored into an overall total score. We have had 4 youth last year that placed in the top 3 at the State Fair. Participants during the 2019 project reported several noticeable outcomes, as 98% of the respondents remarked that they had learned something new, 84% reported that because of their participation in the project they feel more comfortable giving a speech in front of others and 74% reported that they learned something new about the field of agriculture. By exposing these youth, many of whom are unable to participate in other traditional livestock programs, Metcalfe County 4-H is helping to create a generation of agricultural aware citizens with connections to traditions of the past.