Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board have given a turkey to the President of the United States at a White House ceremony.  It wasn’t until the first Thanksgiving of President George H.W. Bush, in 1989, that a turkey was officially pardoned for the first time.

 

On November 22, 2011, Utah Govermor Gary L. Herbert, the Utah State Agriculture and Food Commission, Nerst Turkey, Moroni Feed, and Thanksgiving Point partnered to pardon Utah’s first official Thanksgiving turkey; Lucky Tom.   Lucky Tom is a hybrid turkey and a Sanpete native who was raised on the Bryant Blackham farm.  As many as five million turkeys are raised in Sanpete County and contribute so much to the rural Utah economy, including more than 500 jobs.

Lucky Tom was hand-picked for his size and attractiveness and because he represents what traditional Utah-grown turkey looks like, Lucky Tom will spend the rest of his days at Farm Country Thanksgiving Point as one of many farm animals on display.