UPDATE 11/26/2014
The National Thanksgiving Turkey raised at Cooper Farms in Mercer County, near Fort Recovery, was pardoned today by President Barack Obama.
FIRST REPORT
Ohio is important in presidential politics again this fall. This time, it’s because of a turkey.
The National Thanksgiving Turkey is being raised at Cooper Farms in Mercer County, near Fort Recovery. The honor is bestowed upon the chairman of the National Turkey Federation.
Gary Cooper’s family farm is handling the duties again this year. This is the second time the family has raised the turkey for a president. Gary’s brother, served in the same role when President Clinton was in office.
Cooper asked his son, Cole, to raise a presidential flock of birds, and this year’s batch hatched in July. Next week, two of the turkeys will make a 530-mile trek to Washington, D.C., to the home of President Barack Obama. The president will then “pardon” the turkey and save it from the dinner table.
Over the years, the birds have been taken to several locations, including Frying Pan Park in Virginia, Disney World, and Mt. Vernon, the home of President George Washington.
One of the turkeys, which we’re calling Tom 1, will serve as the National Thanksgiving Turkey. The other, called Tom 2, will be the alternate, in case, for whatever reason, Tom 1 cannot fulfill his duties of looking beautiful and smiling for the camera.
Turkey farming in Ohio is no joke. The Buckeye State is ranked ninth nationally in raising turkeys, producing nearly 220 million pounds of turkey annually. The industry supports nearly 2,200 jobs in Ohio, and is valued at more than $158 million.
