Every Thanksgiving, as Americans settle in to watch "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving," roughly 46 million turkeys make their way to dinner tables across the nation. But while Snoopy serves toast and popcorn, real turkeys are big business - with some states absolutely dominating the gobbler game. So which state really rules the roost when it comes to turkey production?
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The answer is: Minnesota
Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, is also the land of roughly 40 million turkeys annually. While that might surprise coastal folks, Minnesota has been the nation's turkey capital for decades, churning out close to $800 million worth of birds each year.
The secret? It turns out Minnesota's combination of abundant corn (turkey feed), relatively cool climate (turkeys aren't fans of extreme heat), and strategic location near major transport routes created perfect conditions for turkey farming to flourish. North Carolina and Arkansas give it a run for its money, but they're still playing catch-up to Minnesota's turkey supremacy.
The state's turkey industry got its start in the 1930s, when farmers looking to diversify beyond traditional crops started raising turkeys. Today, 600 turkey farms dot the central part of Minnesota, making it the nation's leading turkey state. So next time you're carving into that holiday bird, there's a good chance you're enjoying a taste of Minnesota – even if your own Thanksgiving celebration is more successful than Charlie Brown's.
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