Governor Stein Pardons Two Turkeys from the Thanksgiving Table

Today Governor Josh Stein pardoned two turkeys, Lord and Lady Stanley, during the annual Turkey Pardon Ceremony at the Governor's Mansion, sponsored by the North Carolina Poultry Federation. The Governor was joined by Art Lankford, President of the North Carolina Poultry Federation's Board of Directors and Vice President of Operations for Butterball LLC. Circle S Ranch of Union County provided this year's ceremonially pardoned turkeys, and Butterball LLC provided a donation of 500 whole turkeys to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

"As I travel the state and meet North Carolinians from all walks of life, I find new reasons to be grateful for the people who make this state great - from the educators who prepare our future leaders and the farmers who keep us fed to the health care workers, servicemembers, and law enforcement officers who keep us safer and healthier," said Governor Josh Stein. "I am honored to celebrate North Carolina's poultry industry today and commend Butterball for donating 500 turkeys to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina."

"The North Carolina Poultry Federation is proud to sponsor the annual gubernatorial turkey pardon, a tradition that celebrates one of North Carolina's leading industries, and grateful for the opportunity to give back," said Art Lankford, President of the North Carolina Poultry Federation Board of Directors. "Poultry has a $44.9 billion annual economic impact and supports more than 140,000 jobs across our state. We're honored to present the turkeys for pardon to Governor Stein and donate 500 Butterball turkeys to help North Carolina families gather around the Thanksgiving table this holiday season."

"This generous donation will help make the holidays a little brighter for families throughout our region," said Amy Beros, Food Bank president and CEO. "At a time when so many of us are struggling with the rising cost of groceries, partnerships like these are more important than ever - and we're deeply grateful to Butterball and Governor Stein for their longtime commitment to the communities we serve."

Lord Stanley of Gobblesworth is a Turkey Tom that weighs roughly 45 pounds. Lady Stanley of Gobblesworth is a Turkey Hen weighing roughly 30 pounds. Both turkeys are about 20 weeks old and were raised at Circle S Ranch in Union County. Following their pardoning, they will live out their days with the Harrells Christian Academy FFA Chapter in Sampson County. Pumpkins for the ceremony were donated by Cinderella Farms of Duplin County.