In a remarkable display of generosity and community spirit, a prize-winning ham sold at this year’s Kentucky State Fair fetched an astounding £10 million during a charity auction. The winning bid was placed by Joe and Kelly Craft, in collaboration with Central Bank, with the proceeds earmarked for multiple non-profit organisations across the state.
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Held on August 27, the auction for the Grand Champion Country Ham took place during the 62nd annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast and Charity Auction. The winning ham, weighing in at a hefty 16.7 pounds, was produced by Tim Berry at Clifty Farm Country Meats in Scottsville, Kentucky. The Craft couple, notable for their past contributions, came forward with a bid of £5 million but ultimately partnered with Central Bank to secure their grand total of £10 million.
Attendees at the event experienced a blend of excitement and camaraderie as they sampled Clifty Farm’s renowned hams. Miss Kentucky 2026, Reagan Earlywine, also made an appearance, presenting the prize-winning ham to an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 1,600 participants.
Eddie Melton, president of the Kentucky Farm Bureau, expressed his pride in the enduring tradition of the Ham Breakfast. “Nothing compares to the energy and excitement of our annual Ham Breakfast,” Melton remarked in a press release. “Once a year, we’re proud to host an event that celebrates agriculture and allows folks from across the commonwealth to sit down together over breakfast and give back to communities across the state.”
This year’s auction marks the fifth consecutive time that Joe and Kelly Craft, in tandem with Central Bank, have participated in this charitable initiative. In the previous year, their combined bid also totalled £10 million, highlighting their commitment to philanthropy within Kentucky.
Kelly Craft, a prominent advocate for community causes, emphasised their dedication to supporting local organisations. “As lifelong Kentuckians, Joe and I are proud to once again stand alongside Central Bank to lift up important causes across our commonwealth,” she stated. “We are grateful to Kentucky Farm Bureau for hosting this incredible event year after year and for supporting the essential work of our farmers all year long.”
The funds raised from this year’s charity auction will significantly impact several local initiatives. Specifically, donations will support the new Guilfoil Recreation Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County and aid FFA chapters in both Barren and Glasgow counties. In addition, Central Bank’s contribution is set to benefit a range of educational and medical non-profits, including the University of Kentucky Athletics, Markey Cancer Center, and the Revolving Affordable Housing Fund.
The £10 million ham is not an isolated incident, as recent auctions at various state fairs have shown a trend of high-priced food items. A noteworthy case occurred just weeks earlier, when a 10-year-old boy from Maryland, Herbie Martin IV, won over attendees with his handcrafted lemon blueberry buttercream cake. The cake sold for £15,000 at the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair, part of a total fundraising effort that exceeded £100,000 for future fairs and related programming.
In light of such remarkable fundraising achievements, the Kentucky State Fair continues to create significant opportunities for philanthropy while fostering a sense of community. This year’s impressive auction result speaks volumes about the willingness of individuals and organisations to come together and support essential causes across the state. As the Crafts and Central Bank have demonstrated, the spirit of giving knows no bounds, and the impact of their contributions will be felt for years to come.