York Institute Students Raise Thanksgiving Turkey For Gov. Lee

Governor Bill Lee will enjoy a turkey raised and harvested by York Institute students for his Thanksgiving dinner.

York Institute School Director John Bush said the turkey was one of 66 birds students raised to maturity. He said the opportunity came about after Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn told the governor about the turkey farming efforts.

“Just a great opportunity for these students to have authentic, hands-on learning and a great opportunity for them to learn to be entrepreneurs,” Bush said. “And it’s not every day that a student gets to take a turkey they’ve raised and processed and present it to the governor.”

Bush said the turkey has already been selected and will be processed Monday. He said several of his students will travel to Nashville Tuesday to present Lee with the turkey.

Bush said there are still turkeys available for the community to purchase as well. He said the turkeys are as organic as they can be while using city water–certified organic turkeys would require well water.

“We’ll be digging a well this winter and spring so we can have fresh well water for our poultry next year,” Bush said. “It is our hope that we’ll actually then be able to have certified organic turkeys and chickens next year.”