Kelly and Joe Craft and Central Bank placed a combined winning bid of $10 million on Thursday for the Kentucky State Fair Grand Champion Country Ham, sending the proceeds to charities in every corner of the Commonwealth.
The bid closed the 62nd annual Kentucky Farm Bureau (KFB) Country Ham Breakfast and Charity Auction, the largest farm-city event in Kentucky and one of the state fair’s most anticipated mornings.
Auctioneer Luke Wood worked the room as business owners, farmers and community leaders raised their bidder paddles for a chance to take home the prized ham. The Crafts and Central Bank ultimately joined forces, and each will direct $5 million to Kentucky causes. This year’s Grand Champion Country Ham, weighing in at 16.7 lbs., was produced by Tim Berry of Clifty Farm Country Meats in Scottsville.
This marks the fifth year the Crafts and Central Bank have combined their bids. Their most recent joint bid totaled $10 million in 2025.
“Nothing compares to the energy and excitement of our annual Ham Breakfast,” said Eddie Melton, KFB president. “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. Kentucky Farm Bureau is grateful to everyone who had a hand in it, and we’re already looking forward to next year.”
“As lifelong Kentuckians, Joe and I are proud to once again stand alongside Central Bank to lift up important causes across our commonwealth,” said Kelly Craft, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. “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’ $5 million donation will go to the new Guilfoil Recreation Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County and the FFA chapters in Barren and Glasgow counties.
Central Bank’s $5 million will again be spread across a wide range of Kentucky organizations, continuing a philanthropic record the bank has built over decades. Beneficiaries are expected to include: University of Kentucky Athletics, Markey Cancer Center, Gatton College of Business & Economics, University of Kentucky Alumni Association, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky Med Center, BMW Academy, Keeneland, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Northern Kentucky University Athletics, Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky, The Brighton Center, Kentucky Derby Museum, Louisville City Stadium, Eastern Kentucky University and EKU Athletics, Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises (FAHE), Kit Carson Commons of Richmond, Georgetown College, Asbury University, The Hope Center, Revolving Affordable Housing Fund and Child Advocacy Center.
“Central Bank is humbled to take part in this auction again and to stand behind the farmers and Kentucky Proud producers this breakfast celebrates,” said Luther Deaton, chairman, president and CEO of Central Bank. “The organizations we’re supporting serve families in every part of the state. Giving back is something our whole team believes in, and we’re grateful Kentucky Farm Bureau gives us a place each August where we can put our charitable dollars to work.”
Miss Kentucky 2026, Reagan Earlywine, presented the ham to a sold-out crowd of more than 1,600 in the South Wing B Conference Center at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Attendees were served a breakfast of Kentucky Proud food, including country ham courtesy of Clifty Farm. Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, KFB President Eddie Melton, Louisville Metro Mayor Craig Greenberg and other state and community leaders addressed the room. Kyle Kelly serves as chair of the KFB Country Ham Breakfast.
Since the first breakfast in 1964, the Country Ham Breakfast and Charity Auction has raised more than $64 million for nonprofit organizations and charities across Kentucky.
Kentucky Farm Bureau