When the Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Project started in 1990 there were less than 40 youth participating.  Today there are over 750 4-H’ers from 65 counties involved in the project. Youth gain valuable skills from participation in the Country Ham Project, including, learning the process of research, communication and organizational skills, and they also gain valuable technical merit.  

Traditionally, participants are responsible for curing two hams and are required to give a speech at the Kentucky State Fair. However, when Covid-19 hit in March of 2020 many 4-H programs across the state were postponed or cancelled, including the Kentucky State Fair.  This impacted the Country Ham Project and hundreds of 4-H’ers directly.  Thanks to the dedication of Dr. Gregg Rentfrow and the ham committee an alternate plan was put in place.  The hams were judged regionally and an essay on the ham topics replaced the speech at the state level. 

Changes also had to be made within our county program. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, county 4-H’ers were unable to finish their hams with the producer.  The hams were brought to the Extension Office and each youth scheduled a time to come in and finish their hams and choose the one they wanted to send to the fair for judging. (4-H members were properly distanced and wore a mask at all times.)  Essays were judged statewide and made up 40% of the score with the ham making up the other 60%. 

Even with all the changes to the project and disruptions in daily lives due to the pandemic, 19 youth started and completed the project in Caldwell County with one youth receiving Overall Smoked Essay and another receiving 2^nd place Smoked Essay in their age division.  There were another five 4-H’ers that placed in the top three in their age division of the Smoked Ham category.