LOUISVILLE, Ky. – This is not Hog Wash – the Grand Champion Ham at the annual County Ham Breakfast and Auction at the Kentucky State Fair brought a record $10 million.

In 1964, the event began as a way for the industry to drum up business and promote itself. The prized cut sold for just $124. Since then, the event has established itself as the place to be for politicians, farmers and business leaders who go to the Kentucky State Fair to bid on the ham of the year.

Former U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft and her husband, Joe, along with Luther Deaton, chairman, president and CEO of Lexington-based Central Bank, were the winning bidders. Each bid $5 million.

This marks the 58th year for the Country Ham Breakfast and Auction, sponsored by the Kentucky Farm Bureau. Proceeds from this event help charities across the state.

“The best feeling is knowing that this $10 million is going to go to several of thousands of Kentuckians across the state to really benefit them in times of need,” said Kristen Branscum, who represented the Crafts.

The Crafts said their donations will be made to a variety of charitable organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs across the Commonwealth. The money will also go toward a new mental health initiative that will be announced later this year, and to build 57 new homes in Knott County in a new community called Chestnut Ridge, for families who lost everything in the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods. The Kentucky Derby Museum will also benefit from these proceeds. Winning bidders get to designate where the money is to go.

The Grand Champion Country Ham, weighing in a little over 18 pounds, was produced by Ronnie and Beth Drennan, of Broadbent B&B Foods in Kuttawa, Ky.

The Drennans had been in the furniture business and had always heard of Broadbent Hams, which started curing hams and bacon commercially in Cadiz, Ky., in 1920. In 1999, the Broadbent family sold the business to the Drennans, who have won enough awards to live up to the founder’s name. By 2011 the couple won their 15th blue ribbon for Grand Champion Ham at the Kentucky State Fair.

“Throughout the entire year, Kentucky Farm Bureau is a wonderful partner to the people of the Commonwealth, but we are especially grateful they continue to host this exciting event year after year,” Kelly Craft said. “Giving back to those in need is the Kentucky way, and as lifelong Kentuckians we will always do everything we can to improve lives across Kentucky.”

Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney said his organization awarded a record-breaking number of scholarships this year, noting that this ham charity auction added “icing to the cake.”

“I’m honored by how our people represent what makes our state the best,” Haney said. “I’m gratified by our continuing tradition here at Kentucky Farm Bureau to serve our fellow Kentuckians.”

More than 1,600 attended the ham breakfast. Several Kentucky lawmakers attended the breakfast including Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, Republican U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, and AG Commissioner Ryan Quarles.

“A lot of state fairs are known for certain things,” Quarles said. “Iowa has its butter cow, and we have our country ham.”