Kentucky Ham Breakfast Raises $10 Million for Statewide Charities

The 61st Annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair in 2025 raised $10 million for various Kentucky charities through the auction of the Grand Champion Country Ham. Luther Deaton, president and CEO of Central Bank, and Kelly and Joe Craft jointly placed the winning bid, each contributing $5 million. The winning ham, produced by Josh Poling of Broadbent’s Country Hams, weighed 16.5 pounds and was presented by Miss Kentucky 2025, Ariana Rodriguez, to an audience of over 1,600 attendees. Deaton plans to distribute his portion of the proceeds to educational and children's charities, while the Crafts' portion supports the Barren County Boys and Girls Club, the Craft Academy at Morehead State University, and a housing initiative in eastern Kentucky. This event, which began in 1964 with a winning bid of $124, has grown into a significant gathering for politicians, farmers, and business leaders and is now a major charitable occasion within the state. The auction has become a notable tradition at the Kentucky State Fair, drawing attention for its record-breaking bids and philanthropic impact.