The Missouri 4-H Foundation presented its first 4-H Champion Award to Burgers' Smokehouse.

Morris Burger, former president of Burgers' Smokehouse and the son of founder E.M. Burger, accepted the award on behalf of the company. The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognized Burgers' for more than 20 years of commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.

Located in California, Mo., Burgers’ Smokehouse has been instructing youth on the ham curing process since the early 1990s. The small-town meat locker coordinated with 4-H and FFA leaders to provide a ham curing session for those involved with cured meats projects.

Employees donate their time to provide hams, supplies and the instruction needed to traditionally cure a ham. Annually, about 500 to 800 hams are cured for 4-H projects at the one-day event.

HELPING OTHERS: Morris Burger (left) of Burgers' Smokehouse receives the inaugural Missouri 4-H Champion Award from Missouri 4-H Foundation trustee Elaine Anderson.

Throughout the year, Burgers' Smokehouse has donated fresh hams and bacon for 4-H and MU Extension cured meats workshops and state fair demonstrations. Assistance from Burgers' has been essential in producing quality 4-H projects because of the freshness and condition of the meat products.

Throughout the company's growth, Morris Burger has remained committed to championing 4-H. The E.M. Burger Foundation has donated thousands of dollars for school, community and arts projects in Missouri.

This year, the Missouri 4-H Foundation board of trustees created the 4-H Champion Award to recognize Missouri businesses and organizations that provide significant support fostering positive 4-H youth development in their local communities or the state of Missouri.

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