A prize-winning ham weighing just 16.7 pounds has sold for a staggering $10 million at the Kentucky State Fair, with the money set to benefit organizations across the state.
The Grand Champion Country Ham was sold during the 62nd annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Country Ham Breakfast and Charity Auction on August 27. The ham was produced by Tim Berry of Clifty Farm Country Meats in Scottsville, Kentucky.
The winning bid came from Joe Craft, CEO of coal company Alliance Resource Partners, and Kelly Craft, former US Ambassador to the United Nations, alongside Central Bank. The Crafts contributed $5 million, with Central Bank joining them to bring the total bid to $10 million.
$10 million ham auction will benefit Kentucky organizations
Around 1,600 people attended the annual event, where guests were able to sample ham from Clifty Farm Country Meats. Miss Kentucky 2026 Reagan Earlywine also presented the Grand Champion ham to the crowd.
“Nothing compares to the energy and excitement of our annual Ham Breakfast,” Kentucky Farm Bureau President Eddie Melton said. “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.”
It marks the fifth year the Crafts and Central Bank have combined their bids at the charity event. The partnership also made a $10 million joint bid in 2025.
“As lifelong Kentuckians, Joe and I are proud to once again stand alongside Central Bank to lift up important causes across our commonwealth,” Kelly Craft said. “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 Crafts’ portion of the money will benefit the new Guilfoil Recreation Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County, along with FFA chapters in Barren and Glasgow counties.
Central Bank’s contribution will benefit educational, medical and nonprofit organizations, including University of Kentucky Athletics, Markey Cancer Center, the Revolving Affordable Housing Fund and the Child Advocacy Center.
The Kentucky ham isn’t the only unusual food item to fetch thousands at auction in 2026. In June, a half-eaten In-N-Out burger belonging to YouTuber FaZe Rug sold for more than $7,000 as part of a creator memorabilia auction benefiting Make-A-Wish.
The auction also featured items from MrBeast, Jake Paul and other creators, ultimately raising nearly $25,000 for charity.
