As a college student in the early 70s, Steve Baumgartner’s father requested a Boone County Ham for Christmas. Steve knew that Arno Winkler cured hams and asked Mr. Winkler if he could help him cure hams in return for a “free” ham. Steve enjoyed working with Mr. Winkler and became interested in the ham curing process. So for about ten years, Steve always helped Mr. Winkler during curing time. After many years of assisting Mr. Winkler, Steve decided to start his own curing operation in 1988. Mr. Winkler had retired from curing and he agreed to allow Steve to use his “secret” cure. To this day, the cure mixture (brown sugar, salt and pepper) remains the same! Steve is proud to carry on Mr. Winkler’s recipe. Steve Baumgartner (and friends) continues to cure over 300 hams every January. Baumgartner’s Cured Hams meets all requirements set forth by the USDA. Baumgartner’s Cured Hams have been served at the Boone County Fair breakfast for the past 5 years. This breakfast feeds over 800 Boone County ham lovers!