Minn. Farmer's Turkeys Are White-House Bound
BADGER, Minn. (WCCO) - Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, and a northern Minnesota farmer will be in the holiday spotlight.
John Burkel of Badger will be presenting his turkeys to President Obama at the White House.
Burkel raises 70,000 turkeys a year. He says he's picked out a handful of his best, and is getting them ready in a heated garden shed for their national debut.
Only two of the turkeys will make the trip to the White House, and they'll be pardoned, not served.
Burkel says he's been preparing them for the onslaught of media attention.
"A lot of music in the background, a lot of extra lighting and some flash bulbs flashing," Burkel said.
Along with his wife and five children, Burkel will be making the trip to D.C. to present the presidential turkeys, along with 15 students from Badger High School - the entire senior class!
