President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate Friday (Nov. 19, 2021), then both Peanut Butter and Jelly (alternate) were returned to Indiana to live at Purdue University following their trip to Washington, D.C.
Purdue University’s Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture will provide a home and care for the National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate following last week’s National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation at the White House. The turkeys will live at Purdue’s Animal Science Research and Education Center, where they will reside in a separate enclosed indoor setting with access to a shaded grassy area.
The turkeys were raised under the supervision of Phil Seger, 2021 National Turkey Federation chairman, and by southern Indiana turkey producer Andrea Welp in cooperation with Farbest Farms.
Indiana is the fourth largest turkey producing state in the nation and ranks first in duck production and second in egg production. The poultry industry contributes more than $12 billion in total economic activity to Indiana and employs more than 12,000 people.
The turkeys will officially be welcomed to Purdue with the Boilermaker Special 1-2pm (weather permitting) Nov. 29, 2021, on the Memorial Mall.
You can follow the turkeys’ trip to the White House and back home again to Indiana on Facebook.
Purdue Agriculture’s Department of Animal Sciences includes a nationally recognized poultry program, with experts in nutrition, health, education, behavioral neuroendocrinology, management, behavior and animal welfare.
Karen Plaut, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of Purdue Agriculture’s connection to Indiana poultry.
“Purdue Agriculture’s animal sciences faculty and Extension educators have a long history with the Indiana poultry industry, including working alongside the Indiana Turkey Market Development Council and Indiana State Poultry Association. We value the importance and potential of our collaborations,” she said.
John Blanton, Animal Sciences department head and professor, looks forward to highlighting the many strengths of Purdue’s poultry program.
“We are extremely fortunate at Purdue to have faculty with a wide range of expertise as well as talented students,” he said. “I am grateful to Dr. Marisa Erasmus and Dr. Greg Fraley, the Terry and Sandra Tucker Endowed Chair of Poultry Science, co-advisors of the Purdue Poultry Club, for leading this project and maximizing the benefits for students and the community.”
Peanut Butter and Jelly (alternate), the 2021 National Thanksgiving Turkeys for the USA, at their pardoning ceremony at the White House Nov. 19, 2021.
Photo credit National Turkey Federation.
Peanut Butter, the 2021 National Thanksgiving Turkey for the USA, at the pardoning ceremony at the White House Nov. 19, 2021.
Photo credit National Turkey Federation.
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