Pigs, Pigs and more Pigs

[Redoverfarm]

Well last night was the FFA & 4H Ham, Bacon and Egg Sale.  There was about 45 kids ranging fromk Age 8 to 21 exhibiting their cured hams, bacons and eggs.  The gross amount of sales was just shy of $20,000 for the night.  Not bad considering the economy in the condition that it is and the bidders were local buisness persons gathered from a county population of less than 9,000.   The highest price paid was for a 26 pound ham at $35.00 per pound or roughly $914.  The highest priced paid for a 8.5 pound Grand Champion bacon was  $37.50 a pound or $317.  The higest price paid for a dozen of Grand Champion Eggs was $300

Steven did quite well winning the Grand Champion Reserve Ham and you guessed it. That was the one that sold for $35 per pound or a total of $914.  His bacon according the the 4H Extension Agent was first placed as Grand Campion as well but they discovered that the participant could not have two cuts of meat from the same animal in a Grand Champion Catagory so they dropped his bacon to a "prime" catagory. So I would say that he does know how to raise hogs.

Here is a couple pictures of his winning exhibits.





Next year his sister will participate in the hog project through the 4H and will raise a market hog to show and then will split one with her brother to have a ham and bacon for the sale.  So I am taking bids on line for next years sale.  

[MountainDon]

      Way 

[glenn kangiser]

That is great, John, but a bit over my budget.  Did Steven do the smoking and curing too?

I remember the last time my granddad smoked anything the smokehouse caught on fire and burned to the ground along with the meat...... they were bummed about that.

[rick91351]

Thanks for sharing John.  FFA and Four H, two great organizations.  Both are well worth the time and money invested by the families and communities.  Kids that go through those types of programs and take advantage of the learning and social net working.  (Both with people their own age and older people.)  Do so much better in the work force, community and most of all family. 

[Redoverfarm]

Glenn he did the curing and smoking at his school. They have a regular butcher shop along with a smoke room as part of the FFA program. They allow 4H students (irregardless of the age) to use the facility as well.  I had helped him the last couple years but I was busy helping my parents this year and he did it all himself.  I guess he doesn't need ole dad barking "how to" anymore. 

Rick I would highly recommend any parent to get their children involved with either or both organizations. Yes it is demanding on the parents but the trade off is well worth it.   

[glenn kangiser]

That is great John... tell him I said good job.  I like to see the old methods taught even if it is in a modern way.

I have thought several times about making a smoke house off of our house wood stove as it exits underground and the smoke is cooled pretty well.

Haven't got it done yet though.... [ouch]

[peternap]

That's wonderful John.
You need to start a Blog with the adventures of the Redover family. It will be an instant hit.

[ScottA]

Great, now I'm hungry. Very cool John!

[rniles]

Now I'm hungry too ..awesome job!

[Redoverfarm]

That's wonderful John.
You need to start a Blog with the adventures of the Redover family. It will be an instant hit.

Now you are starting to make me blush peter.    Nothing special just an average family living the American Dream in one of the greatest places on earth.   

Still have the other ham and bacon to slice for our own use.  If the ramps ever make it to the top of the ground there will be some good eat'n.   

[Sassy]

Looks like some good eatin!  Tell your son congratulations!  He seems to have many talents...  not afraid to work at things.