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Country Ham Fetches Record Price at Kentucky State Fair

Jacob Ryan/Kentucky Public Radio

The Kentucky State Fair Grand Champion country ham sold for a record $2 million at a charity auction this morning.

Owners of Louisville's Hermitage Farms, Bridgeman Foods and Republic Bank put their financial powers together to jointly purchase the ham at the annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Ham Breakfast.

Hermitage Farms and Bridgeman Foods agreed to each give $500,000 for the ham and Republic Bank is picking up the other $1 million.

The champion ham was produced by Broadbents B and B Foods in western Kentucky. It’s co-owned by Ronnie and Beth Drennan.

“It all goes for charity.  We don’t’ get the ham back,” said Ronnie Drennan. “This is the ninth time we’ve won it since we bought the business.   We just pride ourselves in making good-quality products.”

The buyers say the sale proceeds will be donated to charities in the education and health care areas. The nearly 16 pound grand champion ham will also be given to a charitable organization.

Rick has been a member of the WFPL News team since 2001 and has covered numerous beats and events over the years. Most recently he’s been tracking the Indiana General Assembly and the region’s passion for sports, especially college basketball.
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