Hutchinson declares November 22-28 as Arkansas Turkey Week

During a ceremony Tuesday at the State Capitol, Governor Asa Hutchinson joined agriculture leaders, industry partners, and 4-H and FFA representatives in declaring November 22 to 28 as Turkey Week in Arkansas.

The Turkey Week proclamation highlights the state’s turkey industry and its value to Arkansas’s economy and agriculture industry.

“The poultry industry is one of Arkansas’ many great success stories. We put turkeys on tables all over the United States. Our ranking as the third-largest producer of turkeys is testimony to the hard work of our farmers. Young people such as Victoria and Kristin Lehmann, who raised the turkeys for this year’s reading of the proclamation, ensure that this segment of our agricultural industry will continue to thrive.” Hutchinson said.

Each year, agriculture contributes more the $21 billion in economic value to the state.

“The poultry industry, which includes turkey, chicken, and eggs, is an important part of Arkansas’ diverse agricultural landscape, representing more than 52 percent of the state’s total agricultural cash receipts, said Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. “We are thankful for the farmers who provide this protein throughout the entire year.”

Marvin Childers, president of The Poultry Federation, added that Thanksgiving week is the perfect time to recognize everyone involved in making Arkansas the third largest producer of turkeys in the nation.

“Thank you to our dedicated farmers, who raise 30 million turkeys per year, and industry leaders, like Cargill and Butterball, for their impact on our state,” he said.

The proclamation featured two live turkeys, provided by Victoria and Kristin Lehmann of Scotland, Arkansas. The sisters raised the turkeys, provided by Butterball, as part of their Conway County 4-H project.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov.