This week, President Joe Biden continued a long-standing tradition by pardoning two turkeys, named Peach and Blossom, during the 77th annual turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. This event not only symbolizes a lighter, festive moment in the lead-up to Thanksgiving but also represents Biden’s final ceremonial act of this nature as president. Peach, weighing 41 pounds, and Blossom, at 40 pounds, traveled over 1,100 miles from their birthplace in Northfield, Minnesota, to receive this special clemency, an act that Biden linked to resilience—symbolized by the peach blossom flower of Delaware, his home state. During the ceremony, Biden humorously addressed the turkeys, indicating that their good demeanor and societal contributions earned them the reprieve.
The personalities of the turkeys were highlighted, featuring whimsically crafted biographies from the National Turkey Federation. Peach aspires to be a prince of pop, reflecting a playful side, while Blossom dreams of sampling cheese curds and exploring Minnesota’s vast lakes. The turkeys have been enjoying a luxurious stay at the Willard InterContinental hotel, a customary treatment for the birds following their journey to the nation’s capital. After the ceremony, they are set to return to Farmamerica, a center dedicated to agricultural education in Waseca, Minnesota, where they will serve as ambassadors for the industry. This lighter take on the story serves to humanize the birds and entertain the public, blending elements of tradition with whimsical narratives.
In terms of care and preparation, the National Turkey Federation’s chairman, John Zimmerman, shared insights into the extensive efforts made to ready these birds for their high-profile appearance. This preparation involved acclimatizing Peach and Blossom to the trappings of fame—from bright lights to cameras—and exposing them to various genres of music to make them comfortable in the public eye. Broad-breasted white turkeys like Peach and Blossom are specifically bred for size and flavor for a short production cycle, reaching slaughter age at around 18 weeks, where they have surprisingly high weights compared to their wild counterparts.
However, the health challenges associated with breeding such large domestic turkeys often result in shorter lifespans, leading many to question the ethics of this practice. Historical records reveal that turkeys pardoned by previous presidents have generally not lived long after being spared—such was the case with birds pardoned by Barack Obama and Donald Trump. These turkeys suffer from various health complications due to their large size, which their smaller organs struggle to cope with. This has raised concerns within the agricultural community about the sustainability and ethics of farming practices centered around such extreme breeding.
As Peach and Blossom enjoy their pardon, animal rights organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have been vocal about their opposition to the turkey pardoning tradition. PETA argues that this tradition is an outdated and grotesque display that highlights the wrongs of factory farming while only serving as a publicity stunt for the administration. Ingrid Newkirk, PETA’s president, urged Biden to reconsider this ritual, emphasizing the president’s opportunity to end a practice that many view as inhumane and out of place within public office. The group suggests that there are more compassionate alternatives to raising awareness about animal welfare that do not rely on pardoning turkeys.
Overall, while the turkey pardoning event provides a moment of levity and festivity during the Thanksgiving season, it also raises deeper questions about agriculture, animal rights, and the moral implications of food production practices in contemporary society. The lively personalities of Peach and Blossom, coupled with the poignant reflections on health, welfare, and ethics, illustrate the complex intersection of tradition, politics, and modern sensibilities toward animal treatment and agricultural practices. As we enjoy our Thanksgiving celebrations, it’s crucial to reflect on these underlying issues and consider the broader impacts of our choices on both our food systems and the lives within them.
