Success Story2020 4-H Ham Donation to Community



2020 4-H Ham Donation to Community

Author: Hollyn Howard

Planning Unit: Nelson County CES

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Plan of Work: Developing Leadership and Volunteer Skills for Engagement with Community, Country and World

Outcome: Initial Outcome

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, food insecurity in our community increased and the 14 Nelson County 4-H Market-to-Market Ham Club members recognized an opportunity to give back. Members donated a total of three club hams--one country ham to a Habitat for Humanity family of 5 and two hams to Communicare, a residential behavioral health clinic. Members of the 4-H club cure two country hams each. Many years, including 2020, extra hams that the club auctions at the end of the year for fundraising that is returned to the members in an effort to teach them about marketing their product.

The ham curing process requires members to start with a raw or "green" ham, trim it down, apply a salt, pepper, and sugar mixture, wrap it in paper, put it in a ham sock, and hang it in the ham barn. The ham barn is a well ventilated and monitored environment that allows the hams to lose moisture and become the finished country ham product that we are all familiar with. Throughout the club year, members visit a farm and a meat processing facility to learn more about where their food comes from. At the end of the club year, members compete on the state level with their hams and with speeches that help them reflect on the curing process and history behind it.

Donating this ham to a family from our community has helped our 4-H youth see the impact that they can make. It shows how valuable their hard work has been and that age does not limit your ability to help others. 4-H members showed an increased sense of civic engagement and serving others through the donation of these hams.






Stories by Hollyn Howard


2021 4-H State Teen Conference

2021 4-H State Teen Conference

about 3 years ago by Hollyn Howard

The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are to develop leadership and teamwork skills, improv... Read More


2021 4-H Virtual Sewing Club

2021 4-H Virtual Sewing Club

about 3 years ago by Hollyn Howard

“Sewing is a discipline that helps develop self-esteem, confidence, focus, patience, fine motor skil... Read More


Stories by Nelson County CES


2021 4-H State Teen Conference

2021 4-H State Teen Conference

about 3 years ago by Hollyn Howard

The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are to develop leadership and teamwork skills, improv... Read More


2021 4-H Virtual Sewing Club

2021 4-H Virtual Sewing Club

about 3 years ago by Hollyn Howard

“Sewing is a discipline that helps develop self-esteem, confidence, focus, patience, fine motor skil... Read More


Stories by Civic Engagement


Cloverbud Citizenship

Cloverbud Citizenship

about 3 years ago by Brittany Osborne

With civic distress in the United States during our 2020 Presidential Campaign, the need for more ed... Read More


2020 4-H Ham Donation to Community

2020 4-H Ham Donation to Community

about 3 years ago by Hollyn Howard

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, food insecurity in our community increased and the 14 Nels... Read More