Closing the distance from farm to fork, America's turkey farmers, represented by the National Turkey Federation, have prepared a new series of videos and resources offering common-sense answers about raising healthy turkey flocks on family farms.

The videos are available at AmericasTurkeyFarmers.org.

Featuring a series of videos introducing consumers to turkeys raised on corn and soybeans in climate-comfortable protective barns, Minnesota turkey farmer John Zimmerman answers questions in an approachable manner with the view inside his barn. Questions are posed with humor by a cartoon animated tom turkey suggesting the exaggerated myths that consumers are often subjected to about how their food is raised. The videos are formatted for social media and available for online sharing.

"People are curious and like to understand more about their food and where it comes from," said Zimmerman. "It's satisfying to know consumers can appreciate how turkey farming is both practical and sustainable, and the answers to their questions are all common-sense."

Viewers see turkeys walk about freely and safely inside barns without cages, as well as learn how veterinarian-prescribed antibiotics are proven to clear an animal's system before the meat is processed. The videos also share how healthy turkeys are raised on a nutritious diet of corn and soybeans along with vitamins and minerals, and how turkeys are farm-raised using smart technology and responsible stewardship of resources.

"The videos aim to satisfy the public's curiosity about a turkey farmer's practical approach to raising their flock and to encourage consumers' appreciation of their food from farm to fork," said Keith Williams of the National Turkey Federation. "These short videos present the exaggerated myths of turkey farming with a bit of humor that welcomes curiosity and encourages questions."

America's Turkey Farmers website introduces the farmers, farmwork, and the food they provide for the consumer enjoyment of “Turkey, The Perfect Protein.” The depth of experience and attention to caring for turkeys can be reviewed on the website in the Stewardship Manual written and adopted by the country's turkey farmers as members of the National Turkey Federation. The website also offers concise fact sheets for turkey's lean protein options among a variety of cuts for meals throughout the week that can be grilled, baked, sautéed or served as snacks.

The online resources follow the successful engagement with the public from 1.3 million views on YouTube of the "Turkey Farm and Processing Plant" video visit by the world's leading animal welfare expert, Dr. Temple Grandin.

AmericasTurkeyFarmers.org content was created by the National Turkey Federation with distribution through a grant by USPOULTRY and creative production contributed by Alltech.

Source: NTF