Valdosta Daily Times

Local News

February 17, 2010

Ham and eggs

Farmers showcase at 58th Annual Lowndes Ham and Egg Show

VALDOSTA — Farmers showcased country cured hams and farm raised eggs by the dozens during the first day of the 58th Annual Lowndes County Ham and Egg Show Tuesday.

The show, which is the only surviving Ham and Egg Show in Georgia, included 68 registered hams and approximately 66 dozen eggs. Lowndes County Extension Agent Calvin Willis said all entries were inspected by the USDA to ensure quality and no contamination.

Among contestants was Velma Miles, whose family — the Perry family — has entered the show each year since it began. This year, Miles entered four hams, the maximum number per family.

Miles said that the Perry family was part of the Black Farm Bureau, which established the first Ham and Egg Show in Lowndes County along with John Saunders in 1950.

Miles’ son, Josh Perry Miles won the reserve grand prize for his ham in 2008.

The hams were classified into weight classes and graded as fancy, choice or good. Retired Animal Science Professor and Extension Program Leader Dr. Glenwood Hill also checked for soundness to make sure that the hams were secured properly and heat was not applied too closely.

Hill judged the hams based on firsthand farm knowledge as well as professional and scientific expertise. During the judging process, he moved from one ham to the next, handling, squeezing, looking, smelling and probing it with an ice pick.

As the recipient of several degrees in animal science and a judge and handler of meat for more than 40 years, Hill encouraged questions throughout the judging process and addressed all audience members and contestants when providing answers.

When asked about the freshness of country cured ham, Hill expounded on different phases of a ham.

“If a ham is cured right, it will keep for seven years as long as it’s not refrigerated. After the eighth year, it will regain its freshness and it will last indefinitely. Because the ham is dry-cured and all the water is taken out of it, it should be hung and not refrigerated. After a few months of curing, the meat should experience some mold, which is an indication of enzymes and lets you know the cure you applied was good. The mold is only penicillin.”

As the hams were judged in one meeting room of the Lowndes County Civic Center, Kathryn Thornhill from the State of Georgia inspected the eggs in another room. She looked for imperfections in the eggs that could result in the rejection of an entire dozen. Air pockets and yolk were also examined in this process.

Outside the civic center, Information Technology Curriculum Specialist Yolanda McFarrin directed two Introduction to Computers courses in a mobile unit, sponsored by the Fort Valley State University Agricultural Extension program.

“We held 2-hour sessions, during which the attendees learned the components of computer hardware and software, as well as the dynamics of the keyboard and mouse,” McFarrin said. “They also learned how to open applications, resize applications on the screen and shut the computer down.”

McFarrin then allowed attendees to open up Microsoft Word and work on their keyboarding skills.

Seventeen people participated in the free courses.

“Having technology skills at any age is extremely important,” McFarrin said. “It empowers a person because if they have computer skills, they have so many resources available to them.”

McFarrin said that the mobile unit provides services throughout Georgia.

The computers in the mobile unit will be open to the general public in 15-minute intervals all day today.

The Ham and Egg Show continues today at 12:30 p.m. with lunch, as winners are named in each category, followed by an auction of each produce item.

Founded when farming was more the way of life than a trade, the Ham and Egg Show was originally held to encourage black farmers and 4-H members and to promote the best agricultural practices.

The first Ham and Egg Show was coordinated by Otis Samuel O'Neal at Fort Valley in 1916.

Text Only
Local News
  • lowndes_outline.jpg Lake Park: Council members resign

    Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120206 chinese at Valwood.jpg Valwood goes global

    Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120207 w gordon home1.jpg City cuts ribbon on new home

    With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120206 Berrien Sherrie WIlliams.jpg Berrien clinic director loses job

    Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120201 pruden AR1.jpg From the CIA to man about town

    Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • schoolnurse.jpg Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future

    A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • tv listings.jpg New TV listings section debuts in print edition

    In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • police-lights-backgrounds-for-powerpoint.jpg Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide

    Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.

    February 5, 2012 1 Photo

  • 120203 FD Dance 2.jpg Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year

    Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
    Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
    “We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.”

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • ticket.jpg VPD offers online citation payment

    The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

Business Marquee
Top Local News
House Ads
SmugMug

VDT Photos of the Week

AP Video
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate' Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
Choose your subscription:
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Weather Radar
Seasonal Content
Poll

Do you think sugar is:

A toxic substance?
An addictive substance?
Sweet goodness?
     View Results