Linwood Verolijk has been growing turkeys for 14 years. He's one of the 180 farmers in the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative.

"I looked forward to being able to have a company here where we had some say. I don't like other people in other state making decisions about how my life will be made," said Linwood Verolijk.

One month later, Linwood and so many others are thrilled with the co-op progress.

"Morale is still high in the plant as well as in the growers. Not that we haven't had a few stumbling blocks; we have and anything that starts, but it's been going really well," said Sonny Meyerhoeffer, president of VA Growers Co-op.

Meyerhoeffer says the turkey meat market is doing very well right now. Sales are ten percent higher than predicted; they are producing more and have more workers.

"A lot of people also just wanna deal with a farmer owned locally owned company, and that's what we think makes us different," said Meyerhoeffer.

You'll soon be seeing a new logo. The interlocking letters show unity and Massanutten Peak with the sun rising, signifying a new beginning.

"People have asked me, so what's the difference between you all and other people that are in other companies. And we wanna say our people," said Meyerhoeffer.

The community is still applauding the co-op efforts.

"We've still been getting cards and letters from people since we've opened up thanking us, wanting to help us in any way they can, congratulating us," said Meyerhoeffer.

Meyerhoeffer also received a letter from Governor Mark Warner. Warner asked if he could use one of the co-ops birds in a friendly wager with the Alabama Governor on next Monday's Viriginia Tech Auburn game. Meyerhoeffer said he would be proud to give him a bird.