North Carolina Meat Processors Association, Inc.

09/14/2026

Congratulations to all! 🏆🎉🎉

08/25/2026

The State Fair has officially brought the **Country Ham Competition back for 2026**, with a dedicated commercial division open to producers across the United States. Commercial classes include unsmoked whole ham, smoked whole ham, and cut ham, with a **National Grand Champion** award. Registration closes September 15.

🥓 **COUNTRY HAM IS BACK AT THE N.C. STATE FAIR!** 🏆

We’re excited to see the **Country Ham Competition return to the N.C. State Fair in 2026** — and this is about much more than winning a ribbon!

For **commercial country ham producers**, this is a tremendous opportunity to put your product and your brand in front of thousands of fairgoers and help shine a spotlight on one of our industry’s great traditions.

The timing couldn’t be better. **Chefs will be featuring country ham in restaurants, food writers are already reaching out, and interest in authentic country ham continues to grow.** This is our opportunity to build on that momentum and show people what makes country ham so special.

Commercial producers can compete in:
🥓 Unsmoked Whole Ham
🥓 Smoked Whole Ham
🥓 Cut Ham

And the top commercial entry can earn the title of **National Grand Champion!**

📅 **Entry Deadline: September 15, 2026**
💲 **Entry Fee: $10 per entry**

We encourage our commercial producers to participate. The more representation we have at the State Fair, the more opportunities we create to promote **country ham, our producers, and our industry.**

👉 Competition details and entry information:
[https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/country-ham-premium-book/open](https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/country-ham-premium-book/open)

**Let’s make sure COUNTRY HAM has a big presence at the 2026 N.C. State Fair!**

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

Dinner time calls for Bologna Burnt Ends! 🔥

Pitmaster Frankie Woodard made these with a 3 lb. stick of Bright Leaf Bologna. These burnt ends are ready to steal the show at the dinner table. 🤤

Think you’ve got what it takes to make the best bologna recipe? Register for the 2026 Bologna BBQ Championship! 🏆

📅 September 19, 2026
📍 The Farm on 95 in Selma, NC
👉 Register at smokinbologna.com

08/25/2026

New label, same great product! 💯🐷

07/25/2026

🚨 MARKED SAFE 🚨
…from overpriced steaks.

🥩 Select New York Strip Steaks — $10.99lb

🔥 Whole Select New York Strip Loins — $8.99lb
🔪 Sliced FREE!

Stop by this week and stock up while supplies last!

07/25/2026

Check out this week's episode of Takin it Outside and we sit down w...

07/23/2026

🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT - JULY 24, 2026 🚨

This is bologna. But not like you've ever seen before. 👀 🔥 😉

We’ve been cooking up something special behind the scenes.

Whether you're a backyard pitmaster or just love grilling and good BBQ, subscribe to the Springhill Outfitters NC Takin’ Outside Podcast 🎙️ before July 24.

The wait is almost over... 😏

👉 Subscribe now: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PHRfkCSWJjjvn6sIAy2Z1?si=yeQ9CA-OQRynckqcwJfCxw&utm_source=copy-link

07/23/2026

07/21/2026

That's a wrap on the 72nd Annual Conference for the North Carolina Meat Processors Association! A special thank you to all our participating sponsors!