Heritage Turkey Project of Sonoma County
We are thankful to say that the Heritage Turkey Project is very much alive and well and ready to offer you beautiful organically fed Heritage Turkeys for your Thanksgiving table!
2022 marks the beginning of our 17th season of the Heritage Turkey project, co-sponsored by Slow Food Russian River. The project has 15 youth this year growing over 200 turkeys. Our project leaders are active breeders of heritage turkeys and some of our 4-H and FFA youth are now raising breeding pairs and hatching their own birds. Each project member raises a small flock of turkeys on their own property and shoulder the responsibility of providing the birds' feed and care.
This project has brought awareness to our community, our farmers, and our future farmers about the preservation of heritage breeds, sustainable farming, and responsible animal husbandry. The turkey project offers our young growers valuable, hands-on involvement in a viable, real-market setting. When you buy your food locally, you support family farms and local farmland for future generations.
Please reserve your turkey by filling out the form below and mailing in your $40 deposit. Due to an over 13% increase in the cost of organic feed and other associated expenses with raising these magnificent birds this year, the cost per pound will be $11.75 /lb. The balance will be due upon pick up; to be paid directly to the young farmer via check or cash. Turkeys will be available for pickup Tuesday, November 22 and Wednesday, November 23 in Santa Rosa. You will be notified with details of the times and pick-up location the week prior to Thanksgiving.
If you have any questions, please contact us at:
heritageturkeyproject@gmail.com
Thank you!
Heritage turkeys are part of American History and had almost disappeared in this country due to the commercial economy and efficiency of the industrial-raised, White Broad-Breasted Turkeys. Fortunately, heritage turkeys are experiencing revival, as food lovers have discovered their superior flavor and moist texture. Heritage Turkeys are delicious; their meat is tender, succulent, and extremely flavorful -- in the words of Marion Burros of the New York Times, they are "the essence of turkey".
Maintaining genetic diversity with any species is crucial to a secure and sustainable food supply. Heritage Turkeys take longer to grow to maturity but are infinitely better tasting than their industrial, broad-breasted cousins. For more information about Heritage Turkeys go to: http://livestockconservancy.org/
THE TURKEYS OFFERED FOR SALE IN THE HERITAGE TURKEY PROJECT ARE ORGANICALLY FED and FRESH, NEVER FROZEN.
To order a fresh, locally grown heritage turkey for your holiday table and support youth in agriculture, please click on the link above. The profit from the sale of each turkey sold goes directly to the young farmer who grew it.
Our 4th year with your turkeys and wouldn't do thanksgiving any other way!
Picking up and cooking a 4H turkey is our favorite part of the holiday season!
This is our 3rd year! love your turkeys!
Thank you, always wonderful Turkeys. Thank you for this fantastic program!
I have loved the turkeys I have gotten the past 2 years from you!
This is our 4th or 5th year ordering - these turkeys are so great!
Can't wait! Last year's bird was excellent.
The turkey was FABULOUS!! Thank you.
I’m looking forward to picking up my turkey in November. We’ve ordered these turkeys for the past two years and they’ve been the best turkey’s we’ve ever tasted, and we love hearing from the kids all about how they raise their birds.
Very excited for another year of DELICIOUS turkey!!
My family is still raving about the turkey from last year, it was the best tasting turkey any of us had ever had. We love the program and hope to support it for years to come.