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October 30, 2025
Where to order your Thanksgiving turkeys this year
Many Carolina farmers are no longer raising turkeys due to high costs and low yields
By TM Petaccia
Updated from 2022
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and many UP readers are looking forward to ordering a turkey from a Carolina farm to complete their American experience. In addition to local pride and supporting our farmers, most locally raised turkeys are raised more humanely, given better diets, and receive little or no artificial hormones or antibiotics. The result is a more flavorful turkey due to better feed and lower stress.
Unfortunately, getting a locally-raised turkey is more difficult than it used to be.
Many North Carolina farmers have left the turkey business. The reasons are simple: turkeys are expensive to raise and have low overall yield percentages. Some are taking a break. Sharon Hill Farm in Sharon, S.C., for example, is in the middle of a rebuilding project, but promises turkeys will be available again in 2026.
“It all boils down to cost: Feed, water, shavings, everything has gone way up,” says Dana Burrage of Windy Hill Farm in New London, which is currently taking a hiatus from raising turkeys. “If you want to raise them antibiotic and hormone-free, like we do, it’s just really gotten expensive these past few years.”
“They are also pretty stupid — turkeys will find a way to die if you let them,” Burrage says. “They require constant monitoring. They are also predator-prone. Their mortality rate is much higher than chickens. It’s a lot of headache for little gain.”
Those who are still selling turkeys tend to sell out fast. If you want to nab an NC bird, you still have a bit of time, but not much. Here are some farms around the state where you can claim your gobbler. Note: You cannot order a specific size turkey; expected ranges are given.
Aull Turkey Farm – Clover, S.C.
Raises both broad breasted and heritage-breed turkeys, along with Cornish cross-broiler chickens. Whole turkeys are Available in 11-15 ($6.79/lb.) and 16-18 ($7/lb.) pound ranges. Bone-in turkey breasts, turkey thighs, and turkey legs also available.
Carolina Pastures – Hurdle Mills, N.C.
Pasture-raised grazing on the farm’s pastures foraging for bugs and other foods, supplemented with GMO free-grain. No added antibiotics, hormones, or other GMOs. Shipped frozen. Most of the smaller turkeys are already sold out, but feast-sized 18-24-pound birds are still avalable. $170-210.
Evans Family Farm – Mt Ulla, N.C.
Raised outdoors on fresh forage and non-GMO feed. They are harvested on the farm in the first weeks of November. Available from 8-24 pounds, $8.99/lb. Pick up at the farm or arrange pick up the farm store or at Uptown Farmers Market.
Joyce Farms – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Joyce contracts with select small farms in North Carolina to raise heirloom Heritage Black Turkeys, thought to be directly descended from the turkeys enjoyed by the Pilgrims and Native Americans at the first Thanksgiving. Available from 13-19 pounds (minimum weight), $190-$210. Shipped frozen.
New Town Farms – Waxhaw, N.C.
Raises a limited number of heritage-breed turkeys outdoors on fresh pasture, where they are moved daily and allowed to forage naturally, supplemented with certified organic, non-GMO feed. Processing is done right on the farm in a small, inspected facility, Turkeys are offered fresh for Thanksgiving by reservation only to subscribers to its mailing list, and tend to sell out quickly.
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