The History of the Country Ham
Hello, my name is Addison Moore. I am an eighth-grade student at Stuart Pepper Middle School in Meade County. Today I will be talking to you about, “The History of The Country Ham.”
When I hear country ham, I am magically transported to Christmas dinner. Each year my family and I will prepare the country ham that I cured during my 4-H ham project.
If you had asked me years ago where the county ham originated, I would have told you at the Ham house by our extension office. All jokes aside the question remains, Where did the country ham originate?
Do Northern families serve country ham as often as families in KY?
The country ham originally came from Europe but worked its way to the United States. According to fossils in Europe and Asia, wild pig-like animals roamed around forests and swamps 40 million years ago. Pigs were kept as pets in China by 4900 B.C. But they were raised for meat in Europe by 1500 B.C. Pigs came with the earliest settlers of Jamestown in 1607. Almost every shipload of immigrants brought pigs with them to America adding on to the population.
It is noted that Americans considered pork the favorite meat and ate more pork than beef or chicken until after World War II. The European settlers had learned how to dry cure a ham and they spread the word to the American settlers and the Native Americans. Around the 1800s, dry-cured hams were a common meal at the dinner table. Pigs were raised everywhere but southeasterners had more of a need for country hams because keeping food cold in the summer was a problem. A country ham can sit out for hours without spoiling. To this day, country hams are most found in the Southeastern states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Kentucky.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this brief explanation on how the country ham came from Europe and traveled to America and why it became so popular in the Southeastern United States. This is my 4th year participating in the 4-H Country Ham project and I’m proud to add a special tradition to my family’s holiday.
There are no bids for the lot at this time
Information for buyer:
1. Buyer will take possession of the ham only after the 4-H member has completed all project requirements and completed the state level judging.
2. Hams will be delivered to the buyer by the 4-H member after all project requirements have been met.
3. Buyer will receive an invoice from Barr Realty & Auction via email for the Meade County 4-H Council and must be paid prior to receiving the ham.
4. After you receive your Invoice;
Please make checks payable to Meade County 4H Council.
Mail to the Meade County Cooperative Extension Service
1041 Old Ekron Road, Brandenburg, KY 40108
Contact Deana Reed at 270-422-4958 with any billing or payment questions.
Brandenburg, Kentucky 40108
United States
Information for buyer:
1. Buyer will take possession of the ham only after the 4-H member has completed all project requirements and completed the state level judging.
2. Hams will be delivered to the buyer by the 4-H member after all project requirements have been met.
3. Buyer will receive an invoice from Barr Realty & Auction via email for the Meade County 4-H Council and must be paid prior to receiving the ham.
4. After you receive your Invoice;
Please make checks payable to Meade County 4H Council.
Mail to the Meade County Cooperative Extension Service
1041 Old Ekron Road, Brandenburg, KY 40108
Contact Deana Reed at 270-422-4958 with any billing or payment questions.