In preparation for the White House turkey pardoning, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) presented the 2022 National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate at the Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. Hotel, known as the “residence of the presidents.”
The event celebrated U.S. turkey and poultry farmers who have persevered through this year’s challenges, primarily, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). With this event, “I’m reminded of the debt that we owe in this nation to farmers, to those who provide our food,” said Congressman Dan Bishop.
Turkeys, Chocolate and Chip, were prepared to be pardoned
The turkeys were raised at North Carolina farm, Circle S Ranch by NTF Chairman Ronnie Parker and participated in special training in preparation for going to the White House.
- The birds were kept in separate houses from the other turkeys.
- They listened to music to be ready for crowd noise.
- And they went to schools to meet with kids to become accustomed to interaction with people.
What happens to the turkeys after they are pardoned?
North Carolina State University’s Talley Turkey Education Unit will be Chocolate and Chip’s forever home after the pardoning where they will help teach students about poultry genetics and production.
North Carolina is the “leading state in the nation in poultry production which generates a farm gate value of over $40 million to the North Carolina economy, about 150,000 jobs and over 5,000 families are supported by our industry,” said NC State Dr. Peter Ferket. And NC State University produces a third of poultry scientists in the U.S.
“This has been one of our most challenging years with highly pathogenic avian influenza this year that has affected poultry production, in particular turkey production around the country. We’ve had the loss of more than 8 million turkeys, but in partnership, in true partnership, between the United States Department of Agriculture, our states and, in particular, our turkey industry and our poultry industry, we have come together,” said Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture Jenny Moffitt. “We have worked together in strength.”
