As an affiliate association of the American Association of Meat Processors the National Country Ham Association was organized in 1992. The National Country Ham Association was organized to represent interest and concerns which could not be represented or could be represented only with great difficulty by the individual companies.

Our mission and service for members:

Promotion, development, and improvement of the business of country ham curers, and to encourage the sale and use of country cured meats through co-operative methods of production, promotion, education, advertisement, and trade shows are primary goals of the National Country Ham Association.

Since 1992 the National Country Ham Association has addressed such issues as nutritional labeling, HACCP, methyl bromide replacement, and new product development.

Since May of 1995, we have accomplished many things to advance the promotion of country ham through the National Country Ham Association.

• A membership survey of attitudes and opinions on marketing.
• Design and approval of new logo.
• Creation of new slogan "Taste the Tradition."
• Trademark of the above mentioned log and slogan. Establishment of our own spokesperson for the industry.
• Initial efforts to create a relaxtionship with many chefs across the country on behalf of the association.
• The establishment of a relationship with many newspapers on behalf of the association.
• The creation of the association's first brochure.
• The brochure features innovative recipes created by famous, high-profile chefs from across the country. With the brochure we hope to reach the younger, upscale consumer who has little experience with country ham.  Like its European cousins prosciutto and black forest, we wish to elevate country ham to its deserved position as a gourmet food, as well as a staple of the American diet.
• The association's first publicity, originating from Merle Ellis and also Brickell & Associates.
• Publication of the associations's first traditional "Country Ham Cookbook".
  Completed a Pathogen Reduction Study, through the efforts of Dr. Estes Reynolds from the University of Georgia, available to members only!

A national marketing campaign is now underway to promote country ham. Each individual member company is being represented in this campaign. The marketing campaign has increased consumer demand as its primary goal.