Kentucky Ham Auction Raises $10 Million for Charity
A 16-pound country ham just sold for $10 million at the Kentucky State Fair, with every dollar going to help communities across the state. Two generous bidders teamed up for the fifth year in a row to turn a breakfast tradition into life-changing support for kids, families, and local programs.
A country ham weighing just under 17 pounds sold for $10 million at the Kentucky State Fair on Thursday, proving that sometimes the best things really do come in small packages.
Kelly and Joe Craft teamed up with Central Bank to win the grand champion ham at the 62nd annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast and Charity Auction. Each contributed $5 million to claim the prize, produced by Tim Berry of Clifty Farm Country Meats in Scottsville.
More than 1,600 people packed the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville to watch the bidding war unfold. Miss Kentucky 2026 Reagan Earlywine presented the winning ham during the event, which featured a breakfast spread of Kentucky Proud foods.
This marks the fifth consecutive year the Crafts and Central Bank have joined forces for the auction. The pair also placed a $10 million winning bid in 2025, making this generous partnership a dependable tradition for Kentucky communities.
The Crafts announced their $5 million will support the new Guilfoil Recreation Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County. Their donation will also benefit FFA chapters in Barren and Glasgow counties, helping young people develop leadership skills and agricultural knowledge.
Central Bank's $5 million contribution will spread across Kentucky like ripples in a pond. The funds will reach educational institutions, health care providers, athletic programs, affordable housing initiatives, and community organizations throughout the state.
The Ripple Effect
This auction shows how creative fundraising can transform communities. A single breakfast event just directed millions toward recreation centers where kids will play, schools where students will learn, and housing programs where families will find stability.
The winning ham came from a producer in Scottsville, a small Kentucky town, yet its sale will impact lives across the entire state. From Glasgow to Louisville and beyond, organizations are receiving resources they desperately need to serve their communities.
One breakfast tradition is now funding youth programs, supporting farmers, strengthening education, and building healthier communities all at once.
Kentucky just proved that when generosity meets tradition, everybody wins.
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Based on reporting by Google News - Charity Donation Million
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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