Last Saturday the Tyler County School FFA Chapter held their 76th Annual Ham, Bacon, and Egg Sale. The day began with a lunch prepared by the schools’ students. The star of the meal was a select of hams cooked differently for each taste and bacon fried to perfection. The pork was served alongside soup beans and cornbread. The meal kicked off the day’s event in the school’s cafeteria at 11:30.

Following lunch several hundred buyers, and spectators filled the school’s auditorium. The entrance hallway was lined with over one hundred hams, bacon sides, eggs and market baskets that would be offered for sale. The hallways had the wonderful aroma of meats smoked to perfection.

The sale has been held for 76 years. But looking back to 2001, the money raised at the event has steadily increased. In 2001 the sale brought in $19,483.00. Last year in 2025 that amount was raised to $76,477.00. For the most part, each year has seen the amount increase.

This year one hundred and eleven entries into the event were scheduled for sale. Something new this year was a category called, Farmers Market. In these categories students who may not have access to livestock could enter by preparing entries with homemade breads, jellies and apple butter.

The entries were sold by Joe Pyles Auctioneering Service from Mt. Morris PA. Head auctioneer was Steve Phillips, assisted by Joe Kay, and Christopher Phillips. Judging this year was performed by Mr. Steve Bonanno, retired from WVU Extension service, and Mr. Virgil Wilkins, retired agriculture instructor from Hundred High School. Judging the egg entries, Mrs. Emily Estanchi and Gail McAndrew, animals’ science at WVU. Mr. Tim Aiken, Sr. VP-Regional Manager Commercial Bank of First Community Bank provided the ribbons for the exhibits. Heritage County Store provided storage bags for hams, and Farm Credit of Virginians for producing bidder cards.

The first item up for bid was a basket provided by the Tyler FFA and SAEP. The basket was purchased with a bid from Jeff Davis for $1,000.

The Grand Champion Ham weighed in at 25.5 lbs. and was entered by Erickson Smith, and was purchased by Momentive with a bid of $1,800.00.

Grand Champion bacon weighed in at 9.1 lbs., and was entered by Brandon Glover and purchased by Long Reach Credit Union for $1,800.00

Grand Champion Brown Eggs, one dozen entered by Conner Greathouse, purchased by Linda Hoover, Tyler Board of Education for $1,000.00.

The Grand Champion Farmers Basket was entered by Caiden Flesher, and purchased by McKinney Architect and Engineering for $750.00.

Reserve Champion Ham weighed in at 25.5 lbs., and submitted by Tristan Bassett, was purchased by Mckinney Architect and Engineering for $800.00.

Reserve Champion Bacon weighed in at 8.2 lbs., and was entered by Tristan Bassett, purchased by Mitch and Sandy Wilcox for $1,400.00.

Reserve Champion white eggs were entered by Conner Greathouse and purchased by Momentive for $800.00.

Reserve Champion Farmers Market with Blueberry Jelly was entered by Mason Clayton purchased by First Community Bank for $800.00.

The Tyler FFA Scholarship Ham presented by FFA Vice-President Parker Hayes was purchased by Jeff Davis for $1,500.00

The Tyler FFA Scholarship Bacon was purchased by McKinney Architect and Engineering for $900.00.

Total sales for the day was $83,895.