LEBANON, TN—At $4,200 or $200 per pound, Wilson County Fair and Wilson Bank & Trust, together, were the high bidders on one of two State Fair Grand Champion Hams auctioned during the Tennessee State Fair Future Farmers of America (FFA) Inaugural Ham Breakfast.
Wednesday, Wilson County Fair and Wilson Bank & Trust representatives received their prized ham from State FFA Officers, Chelsea Sanders, Wilson County native, and Chelsea Wattenbarger. Tennessee State Fair Association chairman, John Rose, was present to congratulate both groups.
Wilson County Fair and Wilson Bank & Trust chose the Packing House Trim Style Ham. The ham was entered into the fair byWilson County native, Scott Dabbs, son-in-law of longtime ham curing artist Ed Rice the owner of Rice Country Hams. Rice Country Hams of Mt. Juliet takes pride in doing things the “Old Fashioned Way”, which explains the multiple State Fair Grand Champion Hams.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee, Farm Bureau Health Plans, and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation were the highest bidders of the County Style Trim Ham. David Key of Cross Plains entered the country ham in the State Fair competition.
More than 400 community and business leaders and FFA members witnessed the auction, which was the highlight of FFA’s first ham breakfast. All proceeds from the event will go to support the Tennessee FFA Foundation, a non-profit aimed at awarding scholarships and recognizing student achievements.
Wilson County Fair and Wilson Bank & Trust were at the breakfast as table sponsors. Over 50 businesses and individuals sponsored tables for the event. Many employees and volunteers from each of these organizations have been members of the National FFA Organization. As table sponsors, they had the opportunity to meet current FFA members and enjoy conversation about their experiences within the organization.
The high bidders have yet to settle on a use of the ham. In the meantime, it will be on display at the Wilson County Fair Volunteer dinner next week.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 610,240 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association is comprised of more than 13,000 members from 214 high school chapters, seven middle school chapters, and eight collegiate chapters across the state of Tennessee.
Photo Caption: The presentation of the Packing House Trim Style Ham between State FFA Officers, Tennessee State Fair Association Chairman, and representatives of both Wilson Bank & Trust and Wilson County Fair. From left to right: John Rose, Chairman, Tennessee State Fair Association; Chelsea Wattenbarger, FFA State Reporter; Chelsea Sanders, FFA State President; Hale Moss, President, Wilson County Fair; Scott Jasper, Sr. Vice President, Wilson Bank & Trust; Ed Rice, Owner, Rice's Country Ham.