A local meat processor took home a grand champion honor during a recent state conference.

Kevin Miller of Miller Charm Farm LLC, Tamaqua, was named the top hog for his boneless ham at the annual Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors conference in Penn State from May 11-13.

This was Miller’s first time entering the competition, his mother, Cathie, said.

“He entered five meat products, including two kinds of fermented summer sausages, a large diameter lunch meat, and his hot dogs,” she said. “Kevin processes all the sausages, smoked products (stixs, ring bologna, his award winning honey ham, jerky), and German bratwurst.”

According to the PAMP contest entry requirements, the boneless ham had to consist of ham muscles, which may be macerated; shaped, ground and formed, pressed, chunked, flaked or restructured. Hams shall be cured mildly but may not include boiled hams on cuts other than pork hams.

“We were surprised to win an award because of the decades of experience our competitors have,” Cathie said. “There were estimated around 200 products entered in different categories.”

Kevin is a second generation farmer, learning how to raise livestock and butcher from his parents, Randy and Cathie, who began Miller Charm Farm in 2013.

He and his brother, Mark, joined their parents in a partnership in 2020 and have helped grow the business and provide quality meats and other products for the area.

Miller Charm Farm, located on St. Peter’s Road, provides several meat options, from homemade hot dogs and burgers, to full cow butchering services.

For more information on the farm or the processing it offers, visit https://millercharmfarms.com or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mcf4387.