Presidential turkeys settle into their forever home at CFANS
December 11, 2023
This year's National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate, Liberty and Bell, were formally welcomed to their forever home on the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul during a special event in their honor on December 8, 2023.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, University of Minnesota Interim President Jeff Ettinger and members of the Board of Regents, the Department of Animal Science, and Minnesota turkey industry leaders made remarks for the occasion, celebrating the birds' arrival and acknowledging the partnerships that made their journey to the University possible.
"We like to talk about our rankings here in Minnesota, and when you talk about producing turkeys we're number one. We have great partnerships in our turkey industry in Minnesota, from our Department of Agriculture to the Board of Animal Health, the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Turkey Growers and all our companies," said Commissioner Petersen.
Jose Rojas, Vice President of Live Production at Jennie-O Turkey Store, spoke to the care and raising of the "presidential flock" that included paparazzi training to acclimate the birds to the lights, sounds and crowds they would experience at the White House.
After posing for photos with guests, Liberty and Bell were rewarded with their favorite treat—Hot Tamales.
They have a comfortable home on the St. Paul campus with a dedicated care team from the Department of Animal Science led by Anup Kollanoor Johny and Kahina Boukherroub.
"They won't be receiving honorary degrees, but they certainly will get the royal treatment they're used to and deserving of," said Interim President Ettinger.
