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“Much like a young child, newborn and young turkeys need more care, a much more controlled environment - warm, nurturing.”

John Gorton
Turkey Farmer

Name: John Gorton
Location: Pelican Rapids, Minnesota
Years farming: I've been in partnership with my father on this farm for 11 years.
My family: I've been married to my wife, Trudy, for 16 years and we have two sons; Blaine is 13 and Jay is 11.
How I came to be a farmer: My grandfather started in the turkey business in 1956. When he passed away in 1966, my dad took over and is still actively involved in the operation. Raising turkeys has been a part of my entire life. I worked on our farm while I was growing up. During college, I worked at the University of Minnesota turkey research farm, and after graduating from the university in 1993, I managed a turkey farm in central Minnesota. The opportunity to expand production and partner with my dad on my parent’s farm came in 1999, and that’s when we joined.
The best thing about being a farmer: Raising turkeys is an active, honest, ever-changing way of life. Every day is different, with many variables such as production schedules and weather. A great deal of satisfaction and accomplishment comes from starting with a day-old poult (about the size of a tennis ball), and a few months later you've raised a full-grown, healthy turkey (which, by that point, is almost up to your waist), that will provide the consumer with high-quality food.
My personal philosophy on farming: It sounds sort of cliché, but take care of the turkeys and they will take care of us. The turkeys can't change their environment, but can only react to what we as growers do. It’s also important that we care for the land and its resources, ensuring that it’s here for our kids.

Turkey Production in Minnesota and the United States

• While approximately 45 million turkeys are raised in Minnesota, approximately 45 million turkeys are also consumed in the U.S. at Thanksgiving. Therefore, it's said that you can't have Thanksgiving without Minnesota turkey farmers.
• The litter (manure) turkeys generate is used as fertilizer for crop land, and it improves the quality of the soil and its ability to hold carbon.
• The top five most popular ways to serve leftover Thanksgiving turkey are: sandwiches, soups or stews, salads, casseroles, and stir-fry.
• Ironically, June is National Turkey Lovers Month.
• Minnesota turkeys consume enough feed to support nearly 1,800 Minnesota corn & soybean farmers.

For more information about turkey farming in Minnesota, please visit http://www.minnesotaturkey.com/.

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