Where to Buy Farm-Fresh Turkey in Illinois

Fall has arrived in Illinois. There's a chill in the air, leaves are falling, and Thanksgiving is fast approaching... have you ordered your turkey from the farm yet? Yes, that's right - from the farm. Many Illinois livestock farmers sell turkeys (as well as chickens, beef, lamb, and pork) direct from the farm. Why buy direct from the farm when it's so easy to pick up your Thanksgiving turkey from the supermarket? Well, for one thing, a locally-raised, farm-fresh Thanksgiving turkey will taste better. Once you taste a truly farm-fresh Thanksgiving turkey, you'll never go back to a supermarket turkey. Buying a locally-raised turkey fresh from the farm is also good for the environment (fuel consumption is drastically reduced because your turkey is not travelling thousands of miles to end up on your plate), good for you (your turkey is fresher and has been handled less than a supermarket turkey, reducing the risk of food-borne pathogens), and good for both local farmers and the local economy.

Here's a guide to buying a locally-raised, farm-fresh turkey in Illinois...

Caveny Farm is located in Monticello, Illinois, approximately sixty miles east of the Illinois capital city of Springfield. John and Connie Caveny specialize in raising heritage poultry, including Bourbon Red Turkeys, American Buff Geese, and Rouen Ducks. Caveny Farm also processes and sells ready to eat, hickory smoked turkeys. All turkeys from Caveny Farm are pre-sold, meaning that you must order your Thanksgiving turkey ahead of time. To order a farm-fresh, locally-raised turkey from Caveny Farm or for more information about the farm including information about the Cavenys' farming philosophy, their turkeys, pick-up points for Thanksgiving turkeys, and cooking tips and recipes, visit the farm website (www.cavenyfarm.com) or call the farm at (217) 762-7767.

Kauffman Turkey Farms is located in Waterman, Illinois, approximately sixty miles west of Chicago. The Kauffmans have been raising turkeys in the northern Illinois area for over 70 years and raise about 80,000 turkeys annually. Kauffman Turkey Farms has a store right on the farm where their fresh dressed turkeys (as well as other turkey products) can be purchased. Visit the farm website (www.hokaturkeys.com) for farm store hours or for more information on Kauffman Turkey Farms. Kauffman Turkey Farms is located at 8519 Leland Road in Waterman, Illinois. They can be contacted at (815) 264-3470.

Sonrise Farms is located in Penfield, Illinois, approximately twenty-five miles northeast of Champaign-Urbana. This local Illinois farm is owned and operated by Dan and Diane Hesterberg and their five children. Turkeys at Sonrise Farms are raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. In addition to turkeys, the Hesterberg family raises and sells beef, pork, chicken, and farm-fresh eggs. All meat products and eggs are sold directly to customers and are picked up at the farm. To order a farm-fresh, locally-raised turkey from Sonrise Farms or for more information about the farm and their other products, visit the farm website (www.sonrisefarms.net) or call the farm (217-595-5603). Sonrise Farms is located at 1330 East 3000 North Road in Penfield, Illinois.