PEANUT BUTTER and JELLY, 2021 National Thanksgiving Turkeys

In 2021, Peanut Butter and Jelly served as the National Thanksgiving Turkey’s. They traveled to the White House (Washington D.C.) to meet President Biden, where he issued an Official Pardon to them. Now they live at Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana), enjoying the good life as Purdue Boilermakers. It’s been quite a journey for them, here are some of the best highlights from their journey.

 IN THE BEGINNING

BORN HOOSIERS. RAISED IN SOUTHERN INDIANA.

The honor of raising the National Thanksgiving Turkeys is given each year to the National Turkey Federation Chairman. For 2021, Chairman Phil Seger asked Andrea Welp (Welp Farm) to raise them under her expert care. In July 2021, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate were hatched at a Southern Indiana Hatchery and when only a few days old were brought to Andrea Welp’s Farm for care under their journey to The White House in November.

Andrea Welp and phil seger reviewing the barn where the national thanksgiving turkeys were raised.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED AS THE HOME OF THE PARDONED TURKEYS

On November 15, 2021, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana) was announced as the home for Peanut Butter and Jelly. They would travel to Purdue University after their journey to the White House to meet President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Purdue Agriculture’s Department of Animal Science was appointed to oversee their care as they enjoy their life as Purdue Boilermakers!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

 

National Thanksgiving Turkey flock decorating thier barn with Purdue Swag!

andrea telling the turkeys about purdue university

ON THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

Just a few days before their official visit to the White House, the Thanksgiving Turkey and Alternate are all settled into their private motor coach for a road trip to Washington D.C. The turkeys were accompanied by turkey care specialists from Farbest Farms, who made sure their road trip was safe and sound.

MADE IT TO WASHINGTON D.C.

And just like that the National Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate arrived in Washington D.C., to a red carpet arrival at the Willard Hotel! They posed for photos with National Turkey Federation Chairman Phil Seger and his family on the red carpet and met with enthusiast onlookers eagerly awaiting their arrival at the hotel.

MEDIA DAY AT THE WILLARD HOTEL

INTRODUCING “PEANUT BUTTER” and “JELLY”

On Thursday, November 18, 2021, the National Turkey Federation hosted a Press Event to introduce the world to “Peanut Butter” and “Jelly,” the National Thanksgiving Turkeys!

Peanut Butter and Jelly had a great time meeting with the press, and had lots to say during the event! Afterwards they stuck around to take plenty of photos with everyone who attended the event.

Next up is the Official Thanksgiving Pardon Ceremony with President Biden at The White House.

Below you can watch the entire Press Event, which starts at the 12:20 mark in the video.

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY LOOKING THIER BEST FOR THE PRESS

THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING TURKEY PARDON EVENT

The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation at the White House with President Biden occurred on Friday, November 19th at 3:15 p.m. Below you can watch the entire ceremony as shown on the C-SPAN Network.

 

PHOTOS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY

OUR PURDUE HOME

MEETING THIER FELLOW BOILERMAKERS

On Saturday, November 27, 2021, the Purdue Boilermakers played the IU Football team. During halftime, Purdue was introduced to Peanut Butter and Jelly with a short video of their journey so far.

On Monday, November 29, 2021 Peanut Butter and Jelly hung out on the Purdue Memorial Mall to meet their fellow Purdue Boilermakers! Even though there was a bit of chill in the air, so many people came out to meet them! Peanut Butter and Jelly had a great time taking selfies with everyone and interviewing with the local WLFI News Team and Purdue Exponent Reports (among others).

 

SETTLING INTO THEIR PURDUE HOME

Peanut Butter and Jelly have been given their own barn with a nice grassy area for them to live at Purdue University. The have plenty of trees in their pasture to offer shade and protection.

LIFE AS A BOILERMAKER

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE ALUMNI FISH FRY

Peanut Butter and Jelly traveled to the Indiana State Fairgrounds to meet with Purdue College of AG Alumni at their annual Fish Fry at the end of April 2021. They had a great time meeting all the Purdue Alumni at the event.

 

ADVENTURES IN SOCIAL MEDIA

The National Thanksgiving Turkeys, Peanut Butter and Jelly, are no stranger to social Media. Their journey has been covered by the National Turkey Federation, Indiana State Poultry Association and us in Facebook and Instagram. Check the many posts below:

National Turkey Federation: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM

Indiana State Poultry Association: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM

Your Indiana Turkey Farmers: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM

YouTube Short: Features of a Turkey & What Do You Call a Group of Turkeys?

THE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING TURKEY

The beginnings of this national tradition are lost to history, but many believe the origin lies in a 1865 dispatch from White House reported Noah Brooks about President Lincoln granting clemency to a turkey in 1863. The official turkey presentation by the turkey industry has its roots in 1947 with President Truman. As the years progressed, the nature of the ceremony shifted from time to time, eventually becoming the modern ceremony the nation enjoys today. It was under President Ronald Regan, in 1981 that the tradition of the National Pardoned Turkey would spend its pardoned life at a farm. The last time a National Thanksgiving Turkey came from Indiana was in 2007, when President George H. W. Bush pardoned May and backup, Flower came from a Southern Indiana Turkey farmer.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING TURKEY PARON

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON MAY, THE 2007 INDIANA PARDONED TURKEY, AND ALTERNATE FLOWER.

TURKEY: AN AMERICAN TRADITION

Our friends at the Poultry Extension Collaborative put together a great flyer full of great turkey info that you can your family with over the Thanksgiving Table. For example, I’m sure you have heard the story that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be America’s national bird? Guess what, that’s a myth, turkey’s may be an important part of American tradition but Benjamin Franklin never supported them as the national bird.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER for more great turkey-based facts!