Raising turkeys on the farm has been one of the most stressful, yet rewarding parts of our farm system. Why did we even start raising turkeys? It made sense after we became familiar raising chickens alongside our pigs and cattle. The equipment is similar, the pasture needs are similar, and turkeys bring their own benefits to the land.
But beyond the challenges, there are so many things we love about raising these birds. They really are majestic out on pasture, strutting around with a presence that demands attention. Our farm dog Tig fits right in with them, almost like they’ve accepted him as part of their flock. And even better, is the sound of their chatter. When bellowing out your best turkey call, they almost always gaggle back a chorus that immediately sparks joy.
Out on pasture, the turkeys live the way they are designed. They forage for bugs, grasses, and all sorts of little critters of the land, and finish their long playful days by roosting safely at night. This year, we turned old hay wagons into their nighttime perch, which doubles as their automatic watering system. It’s been one of those simple, but brilliant solutions that makes farm life a little smoother.
Of course, there are still challenges. Turkeys are seasonal, we start in July and finish just in time for Thanksgiving. Because we pre-sell them, every single bird matters. If something unexpected hits, like storms or illness, it isn’t just our farm’s loss. It means families counting on our birds might be left without their Thanksgiving centerpiece from our farm, and that weighs heavy on us.
Processing has been another hurdle. In southwest Michigan, there are only a couple USDA-inspected turkey processors within 200 miles. Last year, our scheduled plant sold just before harvest, and the place that stepped in didn’t meet our standards. Some birds came back with feathers not fully removed; it was definitely not what we wanted you dealing with before your big feast. We were so grateful for the grace and stories shared as we worked through it all.
This year, we’ve made changes to lower the stress and raise the quality. We’re raising smaller groups of turkeys staggered throughout the growing season, which has made a huge difference - less fighting, healthier birds, and fewer losses. It also means we can haul them ourselves in livestock trailers, no semis required. And best of all, we’re back with a trusted processor we know will handle our birds with care.
It’s not always easy raising turkeys, but when we step back and watch them out on the land gobbling, foraging, roosting at night - we are thankful. And it reminds us of how much it means to you to feel a connection to the land, and to honor it by sharing a feast with your closest family and friends on Thanksgiving. That makes it all worth it.
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$50 Deposit Option: Reserve your bird for farm or market pick-up. Deposit is non-refundable and comes off your final total.
Sizes & Price: 12–25+ lbs at $8/lb (priced on final packed weight).
Early Bird Bonus: Reserve before Sept. 30th and get a $15 discount code for any order on jakescountrymeats.com.
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As the rush of turkey week faded, your farmer Renee finally had a moment to breathe and gather her thoughts. Writing in the middle of the chaos didn’t feel right, so she waited for a quieter moment. Now that the season has settled, she’s ready to share what’s been on her heart. Here’s where her gratitude led her.
A rough cut on the meat slicer forced our family to slow down, reshuffle chores, and step into moments we might’ve otherwise missed. One of those moments led us into the woods together, where the kids learned what it means to harvest an animal with respect and the adults gathered around firelight swapping wisdom and laughter. It’s a story about how hardship can open the door to unexpected joy, and the way those small, shared experiences shape us.
Our grass-fed beef program has grown slowly and intentionally over the years, shaped by different breeds, plenty of trial and error, and a whole lot of care for the land. From Chloe the snowbank calf to the Herefords finishing on cover crops today, the herd has become a big part of our farm’s rhythm. This update shares how the program has evolved, why prices look the way they do, and what it means to raise beef in a way that supports the soil, the animals, and you.
