(SEDALIA, Mo.) – Several Missouri youth will benefit from the proceeds raised from the 62nd Annual Governor’s Ham Breakfast held Thursday, Aug. 14, in the Director’s Tent on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce addressed the guests, which numbered nearly 1,000.

Several other distinguished guests attended the Ham Breakfast, including State Fair Director Mark Wolfe, State Fair Foundation Chairman Bob Thompson, State Fair Commissioners, state and local elected officials and numerous other agriculture leaders and fair supporters. Former Senator Jim Mathewson emceed the event and Aaron Cantrell auctioneered.

Cantrell, the 2014 Missouri Livestock Marketing Association Champion Auctioneer, led the time-honored auction of the champion hams and bacon, and commemorative belt buckle, raising a total of $33,200. Proceeds from the auction and breakfast will support Missouri State Fair projects, including youth scholarships.

The auction began with the Grand Champion Ham, exhibited by Quynten Cary of California. The ham was purchased by Ditzfeld Container and Trash Service and Murphy Brothers Exposition for $7,500 and was donated to the Missouri 4-H.

The Reserve Grand Champion Ham, exhibited by McKayla Stafford of Versailles, went to Starline Brass for $7,200, which set a new record, and was donated to Missouri FFA. The Grand Champion Bacon, exhibited by Russellville Locker, of Russellville, sold for $8,000, and was donated to Missouri 4-H. The commemorative belt buckle was purchased with $5,500 from KCP&L and $5,000 from Missouri American Water for a record-setting total of $10,500.

For more results and photographs from competitions held during this year’s Missouri State Fair, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

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