The annual event was held March 23 at the Pocahontas County Opera House. Forty county 4-H and FFA youth showcased their many hours of hard work as they exhibited and sold 31 hams, 30 bacons and 14 dozen eggs they raised as projects. Support from businesses in and out of the county created an impressive sale volume of $58,319.94.
Sienna Hamons exhibited the Grand Champion Ham which weighed 23.06 lbs. Dominion Energy purchased the ham for $980.05. The Reserve Champion Ham, shown by Silas Dean, weighed 21.66 pounds was sold to Southern States for $953.04. R.T. Hill exhibited the Grand Champion Bacon, which weighed 6.58 pounds and was purchased by Dairy Queen for $2,566.20. The Reserve Champion Bacon was exhibited by Riley Hamons weighing 7.6 pounds and selling for $2,356.00 to Southern States. The Grand Champion Eggs, shown by Natalie Irvine, sold for $600 to Mitchell Chevrolet. Coleton Taylor’s Reserve Champion Eggs were purchased by Dari Land for $525. The PCHS FFA Scholarship Ham weighed 20 lbs. and was purchased by Owens Repair Services for $3,000. Glades Building Supply donated an additional $250 on the scholarship ham. Glades Building Supply also gave the winning bid of $925 for a handmade wooden FFA plaque donated by Denmar Correctional Facility.
Joe Mitchell, of Mitchell Chevrolet, accepted the 2023 Friends of 4-H award on behalf of the business. Mitchell Chevrolet was recognized for its donation of time, heavy equipment and even its facility as host to the Ham, Bacon and Egg Sale for many years in addition to continued support of the youth exhibitors at the annual sales.
In addition to the Grand and Reserve Champions and the scholarship ham, bidders attending the auction had a chance to buy 16 Prime hams, 9 Choice hams, 3 Good hams, 13 Prime bacons, 7 Choice bacons, 8 Good bacons, 6 Grade AA eggs, 3 Grade A eggs, and 3 Grade B eggs.
4-H members selling these products included Ethan Armstrong, Jessica Armstrong, Grayson Barlow, Garrett Bauserman, Ezra Bond, Kylor Brock, Madalynn Brock, Trenton Brock, Makiya Burns, Jarrell Clifton, Silas Dean, Victor Dean, Amber Defibaugh, Noah Dilley, Elizabeth Friel, Michael Friel, Tyler Friel, Leanne Green, Riley Hamons, Sienna Hamons, Levi Hill, RT Hill, Natalie Irvine, Joseph McClure, Emma Riffe, Caleb Ritter, Trey Sattler, Evan Sharp, Noah Sharp, Natalie Sisler, Abigail Taylor, Coleton Taylor, Kelsi Taylor, Luke Taylor, Lydia Taylor, Macaden Taylor and Lane Wilfong.
FFA members selling pro-ducts were Brianna Cochran, Kirsten Friel (4-H/FFA), and Cami Warner.
The following businesses and individuals supported the event: Southern States, Owens Repair Services, Pocahontas Veterinary Services, Hot Springs Pools and Spas, Dairy Queen, BT Humphreys Logging, Will Dalton, Mitchell Chevrolet, Murphy’s Body Shop, Glades Building Supply, Appalachian Aggregates, S & S Enterprises, Anderson Well Pump and Septic, Pendleton Community Bank, Anderson Ag Service/Dr. Jennifer Rose, Dari Land, Myron Vaughan, Johnston Logging, Dominion Energy, The Outhouse, Ryder Inc., Inter-State Hardwoods Inc., Rocky Ridge Farm, Robin Muts-cheller, Fran Madison, Jean Taylor, Mosesso Agency, Appalachian Sport, Timber Crest, Sattler Farms, J & A Trucking, Dustin Simmons, Boyer Campground, Farm Credit of the Virginias, Citizens Bank of WV, Travis Taylor Contracting, Clifton Farm, Janice Miller, Roseboro Farm, Mike Doss Law Office, Grass Bandits, Committee to Keep Judge Richardson, Beckwith Lumber Company, Daniel Simmons, Paul and Jamie Hill, Varner Construction and The Laundry List.
Ben Wilfong served as Auctioneer and Howard Henderson was the Show Judge. Pocahontas IGA provided free slicing and bags for the sale. City National Bank, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital and Gibson’s Feed and Grain provided donations for project premiums to be divided equally among all participants. Brushy Flat Bushwackers 4-H Club provided refreshments for the event in addition to ham biscuits prepared by 4-H Agent Luci Mosesso and cinnamon buns donated by Dari Land.
The 4-H and FFA members appreciate the continued support of the community.
