Turkeys Gobble and Waddle avoid the butcher’s block

A pair of eastern North Carolina turkeys – Gobble and Waddle – received official presidential pardons today (Nov. 25) in Washington, D.C.

The two toms were raised on the Wayne County, N.C., farm of Travis and Amanda Pittman. 

The Pittmans participated in ceremonies, along with their son, Carter, that were hosted by the National Turkey Federation at Washington’s luxurious Willard InterContinental Hotel...where the Gobble and Waddle spent the night and enjoyed the amenities.

The pardoning took place at the White House, with the act performed by President Donald Trump and witnessed by his wife, Melania Trump.

Also participating was Jay Jandrain, chair of the National Turkey Federation and CEO of Butterball, LLC., based in Garner, N.C.

It is customary that the turkeys to be spared from the dinner table are selected by the sitting federation chair and have been raised in his or her home state.

Lucky birds Gobble and Waddle will now spend Thanksgiving Day and the rest of their days in comfort, housed down on the farm at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.

 

They are being taken under the wing of NC State’s University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). University officials promise a life of leisure for Gobble and Waddle, with climate-controlled quarters and expert care provided by CALS poultry specialists and students.

 

This is NC State’s second time serving as the home of the National Thanksgiving Turkeys, having also welcomed Chocolate and Chip to Raleigh in 2022. They were pardoned byPresident Joe Biden.

CALS Dean Garey Fox also attended the turkey festivities in Washington, and he highlighted the importance of the poultry industry and poultry science in North Carolina.

 

“As North Carolina’s No. 1 agricultural commodity, poultry contributes about $40 billion to the state’s economy each year,” he said.

“It’s an honor for all of us at NC State to once again welcome the National Thanksgiving Turkeys to Raleigh,” Fox said. “Poultry is a cornerstone of North Carolina agriculture and a vital part of our state’s cultural and economic heritage. This tradition shines a national spotlight on the people, partnerships and science that make the industry prosperous, and CALS is proud to help lead the way.”

Frank Siewerdt, head of the Prestage Department of Poultry Science in CALS, says caring for the pardoned birds is a boon to the department, helping raise awareness of the university’s poultry science facilities and expertise.

“We’re excited to welcome the turkeys to our research farm, which creates an incredible opportunity to showcase the strengths of our poultry science programs and the impact our people make every day,” Siewerdt said. “Prestage is one of only six poultry science departments in the country, and we produce close to one-third of our nation’s poultry science graduates.”

“These turkeys can help us tell that story, promote the importance of North Carolina poultry and maybe even inspire the next generation of animal scientists.”

Gobble and Waddle will also serve as educational ambassadors for CALS and the state’s poultry industry at events like Farm Animal Days, Ag Awareness Week and the State Fair.

 

Tantalizing Turkey Facts

 

N.C. is the No. 1 producer of turkeys by weight (nationally).

N.C. is No. 2 by headcount (27 million turkeys in 2024).

N.C. accounts for more than 15% of total U.S. turkey output by weight.

There are more than 5,000 poultry farms in N.C.

Poultry is the top segment of N.C. agriculture ($100+ billion industry).

N.C. produces almost 10% of the nation’s poultry.

N.C. poultry accounts for nearly 150,000 jobs.

(N.C. Poultry Federation)