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Dayton and Smith kick off Thanksgiving week

Minnesota turkey farmers raise 46 million turkeys annually, supporting 26,000 jobs

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Governor Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, President of the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council Kim Halvorson (center left), and Douglas County 4H member Katie Kent (center right) kick off Minnesota’s Thanksgiving festivities at the Minnesota State Capitol. They are joined by a 45-pound Minnesota-grown turkey named “Truman” from Alexandria, Minnesota. This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the first-ever National Thanksgiving Turkey Ceremony, hosted by President Harry Truman in 1947. (Courtesy of Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith)
Governor Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, President of the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council Kim Halvorson (center left), and Douglas County 4H member Katie Kent (center right) kick off Minnesota’s Thanksgiving festivities at the Minnesota State Capitol. They are joined by a 45-pound Minnesota-grown turkey named “Truman” from Alexandria, Minnesota. This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the first-ever National Thanksgiving Turkey Ceremony, hosted by President Harry Truman in 1947. (Courtesy of Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith)
Governor Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, President of the Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council Kim Halvorson (center left), and Douglas County 4H member Katie Kent (center right) kick off Minnesota’s Thanksgiving festivities at the Minnesota State Capitol. They are joined by a 45-pound Minnesota-grown turkey named “Truman” from Alexandria, Minnesota. This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the first-ever National Thanksgiving Turkey Ceremony, hosted by President Harry Truman in 1947. (Courtesy of Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith)

ST. PAUL — Kicking off Thanksgiving Week in Minnesota this morning, Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith were joined by Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council President Kim Halvorson, and Colleen Moriarty of Hunger Solutions Minnesota. A Minnesota-grown turkey also was on-hand for the occasion.

“Thanksgiving is a day for all of us to share with our families and friends, and to give thanks for our blessings,” said Governor Dayton. “This Thanksgiving, I encourage all Minnesotans to serve Minnesota-grown turkeys.”

Minnesota’s 450 turkey farmers raise an estimated 46 million birds in a typical year. This production generates $807 million in economic activity every year, and supports 26,000 Minnesota jobs. Turkeys grown in Minnesota also consume $163 million of corn and $169 million of soybean meal – adding approximately $251 million to the value of corn and soybeans in Minnesota.

“Many Minnesota families don’t have a warm home and big dinner to look forward to on Thanksgiving,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “There are more than 3 million visits to food shelves in Minnesota every year. Volunteering or making a donation to Hunger Solutions Minnesota is a great way to help. I’m grateful to Hunger Solutions and the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association for their hard work and generosity this season, and every time of year.”

Governor Dayton, Lt. Governor Smith, Minnesota’s turkey farmers, and Hunger Solutions Minnesota addressed ending hunger across the state by encouraging Minnesotans to donate to their local food shelves. The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association is donating over 13,000 pounds of turkey to Hunger Solutions Minnesota this year, to help more Minnesota families enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Minnesota’s agriculture industry contributes $90 billion a year to the state’s economy. It also employs over 320,000 Minnesotans, making it the second largest employer in the state.

How Minnesotans Can Get Involved

· Hunger Solutions Minnesota – Hunger Solutions Minnesota is the only statewide anti-hunger organization whose services reach every county of Minnesota. To get involved with Hunger Solutions Minnesota’s charitable work, click here.

— Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith

For more news from Minnesota, click here.

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