We should celebrate and be grateful for farmers every day, but especially on a day when we give thanks.
While we are all sitting around the table with our families saying what we are thankful for, we should thank a farmer, and here is why.
Why do we eat a turkey on Thanksgiving?
Roughly 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving. The National Turkey Federation says almost 90 percent of Americans eat turkey on the holiday. Why? They were abundant in the northeast during the first Thanksgiving celebration in October 1621.
There is no indication turkey was served at the first Thanksgiving feast, but the Wampanoag brought deer, and the Pilgrims brought wild “fowl,” according to the Britannica.
Fast forward to the 19th century, turkey became a popular dish because it was plentiful - about 10 million turkeys, according to one expert. Secondly, they were widely available for culling. Cows and hens were useful as long as they were producing eggs and milk. Lastly, a turkey was big enough to feed a big family.
Farmers supply the meals
Americans consume 80 million pounds of cranberries on Thanksgiving, and farmers produce 841 million pounds in a year, according to Luckey Farmers.
A little over 200 million pounds of potatoes and 50 million pounds of sweet potatoes will be purchased for the dinner.
Americans buy almost 500,000 pounds of pumpkin for Thanksgiving, and 77 million pounds of ham will be purchased.
Story via Luckey Farmers
Story via John M. Cunningham with Britannica
November 25, 2025 02:20 PM
·
The National Milk Producers Federation will launch a new advocacy campaign to secure a final vote, urging House lawmakers to approve the bill as soon as they return from the Thanksgiving recess.
November 25, 2025 01:09 PM
·
Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball, joined us in the studio on Monday to discuss the history, significance, and expectations surrounding this year’s presidential turkey pardon.
November 24, 2025 12:04 PM
·
Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
November 20, 2025 05:00 PM
·
Lower turkey and wheat prices helped ease Thanksgiving costs, but underlying farm-sector pressures remain significant.
November 19, 2025 11:06 AM
·
Enjoy special programming as you gather to feast and give thanks with your family, featuring a re-cap of the 98th National FFA Convention, special airings of favorite music programs, and a “Lonesome Dove” marathon.
November 18, 2025 01:29 PM
Feel the earth move as beautiful Belgians, powerful Percherons, and classic Clydesdales thunder into the arena!
November 18, 2025 10:34 AM
Retail competition and improved supplies are helping offset food inflation, pushing Thanksgiving meal costs modestly lower despite higher prices for beef, eggs, and dairy.
November 16, 2025 03:00 PM
·
While agriculture doesn’t predict every recession, the sector’s long history of turning down before the broader economy
November 16, 2025 12:00 PM
·
