ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va --- A few days before Thanksgiving, the National Turkey Federation sends a turkey to the White House to be pardoned by the president. This tradition started in the 1940s and if it is continued this year, the pardoned turkey will come from a farm right here in the Valley.

The little “poults,” that is what some farmers call a baby turkey, just hatched this month. They are being raised with a lot of tender love and care. They eat a healthy diet of corn and soy beans and live in a barn designed for maximum comfort.

Their owner's goal is to raise the best bird possible.

"This is a great opportunity to begin the traditional holiday season,” said President of Virginia Poultry Federation Hobey Bauhan. “To highlight the importance of Thanksgiving and to reflect on that. But also the importance of the turkey industry economically in the Commonwealth of Virginia."

If tradition holds, a Valley turkeys will be presented to the president in November.

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