RALEIGH, N.C. — A Wayne County business is bringing home statewide recognition after earning top honors at the 2026 North Carolina State Fair Country Ham Competition.
Brandon Pierce of Nahunta Pork Center in Pikeville earned second place in the Commercial Division’s Unsmoked Whole Ham category, showcasing the quality and craftsmanship of one of Wayne County’s well-known pork producers.
The competition, held Thursday, October 15, marked the return of a longtime North Carolina tradition after a 27-year absence from the State Fair.
Presented by North Carolina Farm Bureau, the event brought together country ham producers and enthusiasts to celebrate the salt, smoke, patience, and generations of knowledge that go into creating one of the state’s most recognizable Southern delicacies.
Pierce and Nahunta Pork Center competed against producers from across the country, earning second place behind Tony Snow of Goodnight Brothers Country Ham in Boone, who claimed both the National and Got to Be NC Grand Champion titles in the Unsmoked Whole Ham category.
The recognition highlights the role Wayne County businesses continue to play in preserving North Carolina’s agricultural and food traditions.
Celebrating a North Carolina Tradition
North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler praised the return of the competition and the producers who continue the time-honored craft of curing country ham.
“Country ham is more than something we put on a biscuit. It’s a part of our agricultural history and the memories we make around the table,” Troxler said.
“For generations, North Carolina families have perfected the art of curing ham, and this competition celebrates the hard work, patience and pride that go into every one. It’s exciting to bring this tradition back to the State Fair after 27 years to recognize the people who keep this important part of our heritage alive.”
Country ham production requires careful attention to detail, from the application of salt to the aging process that develops its distinctive flavor. The process combines experience, patience, and traditional curing methods passed down through generations.
Other Competition Winners
Tony Snow of Goodnight Brothers Country Ham in Boone was among the competition’s top winners, earning multiple honors, including National and Got to Be NC Grand Champion in the Unsmoked Whole Ham and Cut Ham categories, as well as the Commissioner’s Choice Award.
Broadbent Country Hams of Kuttawa, Kentucky, captured the National Grand Champion title in the Smoked Whole Ham category.
In the Amateur Division, Andy Parks of Kannapolis was recognized in the Whole Ham category.
Sam Suchoff, president of the National Country Ham Association, emphasized the importance of recognizing producers who preserve the craft.
“Making a great country ham takes time, knowledge and a real respect for the process,” Suchoff said. “The producers competing here represent a tradition that has been handed down for generations, but they’re also helping shape its future.”
Country Ham Takes Center Stage at the State Fair
The return of the competition is part of a larger celebration of country ham at the 2026 N.C. State Fair, which includes a new Ham House, demonstrations in Heritage Circle, Country Ham Restaurant Week, and the Country Ham Trail.
Winning hams will be displayed in the Got to Be NC Pavilion inside Dorton Arena, allowing fairgoers to see the award-winning entries.
Commercial whole hams entered in the competition will also be donated to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, extending the event’s impact beyond the fairgrounds.
For Wayne County, the second-place finish by Brandon Pierce and Nahunta Pork Center is another reason to celebrate the area’s agricultural heritage and the local businesses that help keep North Carolina’s food traditions alive.
From Pikeville to the N.C. State Fair, Nahunta Pork Center has earned a place among the competition’s top country ham producers.
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