Ashton Long Competes at Kentucky State Fair County Ham Contest

Ashton Long, a sophomore at Magoffin County High School, was awarded a blue ribbon for her country ham, at the Kentucky State Fair this year. She is the first 4-H member from Magoffin County to enter the country ham contest. The process began in February, with the fresh hams being seasoned and prepared to hang in the ham curing house at the Extension Office. Before the state fair, Ashton scrubbed her ham and prepared it for judging. Because of Covid-19, in lieu of the in-person speech, participants prepared a written essay about preparing and curing the ham. The essays were sent to be judged electronically and were followed up by sending the ham to be judged.

Ashton is the daughter of Michael and Sabrina Long of Salyersville. She is a member of the Magoffin County 4-H Teen Club.