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FarmAmerica, Minnesota’s Agricultural Interpretive Center, was established in 1978 by the Minnesota State Legislature to connect the public with the evolving story of agriculture. Located on 360 acres outside Waseca, FarmAmerica serves thousands of visitors each year through school field trips, public events, summer camps, and guided tours. Its mission is to help people understand where their food comes from and the essential role agriculture plays in Minnesota’s economy and communities.
In 2024, Farmamerica elevated its impact by placing a strong focus on turkey promotion through new programming, creative partnerships, and timely public engagement. These efforts positioned the organization as a key ally in consumer outreach on behalf of Minnesota’s turkey industry.
One of Farmamerica’s most visible contributions came in November when it became the permanent home of Peach and Blossom, the 2024 National Thanksgiving Turkeys. After their forma pardon by President Joe Biden at the White House, the birds were transported to FarmAmerica to serve as educational ambassadors for the turkey industry. Staff quickly incorporated them into the center’s programming, including guided tours, school visits, and public outreach materials. Visitors learned about turkey production, the importance of the industry to Minnesota agriculture, and how turkeys are raised and cared for on commercial farms.
The turkeys drew strong interest from both the public and educators. Teachers used their story as a launchpad for discussions in the classroom, and returning families followed Peach and Blossom’s progress throughout the winter. Their presence provided an accessible and engaging way to discuss topics like animal welfare, poultry nutrition, and biosecurity practices on farms.
To build on this momentum and continue raising awareness about turkey as a nutritious, everyday protein, FarmAmerica hosted its second annual Turkey Trot & Breakfast in late November. The event attracted over 250 attendees who participated in a 5K or 1K run across the FarmAmerica property and served as a public introduction for Peach and Blossom. During the breakfast, staff distributed recipes, nutritional facts, and turkey industry materials, helping reinforce the message that turkey is more than a seasonal food—it’s a healthy, versatile option for any meal, all year long.
Beyond seasonal events, Farmamerica integrated turkey-focused education into its core programming throughout 2024. School tours were updated to include a poultry component, introducing students to how turkeys are raised, what they eat, and the role technology plays in commercial production. More than 5,000 K–12 students visited the facility last year, with many participating in newly developed curriculum focused specifically on poultry. The FarmAmerica education team also created and piloted take-home worksheets and digital content that educators could use before and after their visit, strengthening the connection between what students saw on-site and what they learned in the classroom.
FarmAmerica also effectively amplified its turkey outreach through strong communications. Posts featuring the presidential turkeys became some of the organization’s most popular and most shared content of the year across Facebook and Instagram. Media coverage from local TV, newspapers, and radio helped increase visibility of both the turkeys and Farmamerica’s turkey-related programming. The organization worked closely with MTRPC to ensure accurate industry messaging and included branded materials at events and in educational displays. These partnerships ensured that turkey promotion was not only engaging but also aligned with broader industry goals around nutrition, responsible production, and farmer credibility.
FarmAmerica’s work in 2024 directly advanced MTRPC’s objectives of consumer education and increasing trust in turkey farmers. It successfully promoted turkey as a product and the turkey industry as a whole. Visitors walked away with a better understanding of not only what goes into raising turkeys, but also the care, skill, and commitment of Minnesota’s growers.
Looking ahead, Farmamerica plans to continue housing Peach and Blossom throughout 2025, with new signage and interactive elements in development.
FarmAmerica’s 2024 campaign to promote Minnesota turkey was strategic, visible, and effective. From welcoming the National Thanksgiving Turkeys to engaging thousands of visitors with meaningful education, FarmAmerica has proven itself to be a top-tier promotional partner for the turkey industry. Its clear communication, programmatic integration, and commitment to authentic consumer connection make the organization a deserving recipient of the 2025 MTRPC Promoter of the Year Award.
