Gov. Kim Reynolds continued the Thanksgiving tradition earlier this week by granting pardons to two lucky turkeys, Freedom and Flourish, at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. This annual event, celebrating the state’s turkey industry, saw the birds reprieved from the Thanksgiving table and allowed to retire to a non-commercial farm in southwest Iowa after being raised at the Moline Farm in Manson. Reynolds says, “This wonderful tradition is a time to pause and be thankful for friends, family, and Iowa’s farmers. Iowa’s turkey producers’ dedication and hard work provide millions of families the ability to celebrate Thanksgiving with a healthy serving of Iowa poultry. [This] ceremony celebrates Iowa’s turkey producers, especially the Moline family, fifth-generation turkey farmers, with an amazing legacy that will continue for generations to come.” Freedom and Flourish, raised by Iowa Turkey Federation President Brad Moline’s daughter, Ava, were the center of attention at the event, attended by representatives from the Iowa Turkey Federation, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg. Iowa ranks prominently in turkey production, standing sixth nationwide, and employs over 38,000 Iowans. The state’s two major processing plants—Tyson Foods in Storm Lake and West Liberty Foods in West Liberty—jointly produce more than 13 million turkeys annually, contributing significantly to the state’s thriving turkey industry.
Turkeys Pardoned By Gov. Reynolds Raised On Calhoun County Farm
