As Tooele Country lessens its farming and moves toward manufacturing, it still finds time to participate in various agricultural events, one of which is the third annual Turkey Auction.

Since the Turkey Auction began, it has been continually growing each year. Members of the FFA Organization and 4-H club throughout Tooele County participate in raising, processing, and selling turkeys between the months of July and November, with the auction taking place on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.

“We have more kids this year than ever before,” said Grant Peterson, an Agricultural teacher at Grantsville High School. This year’s participation of approximately 65 students has almost tripled from last year’s.

Beginning in July, the students begin raising their turkeys. They spend hours feeding them, giving them water, providing them with shelter, and just keeping them alive.

The routine continues until November when the turkeys are slaughtered, processed, and then auctioned off. The cost to raise one turkey averages at about $40, including feed and processing, with students raising up to 25 turkeys. Each student is responsible for buying the food and providing a shelter where the turkeys can live. The turkeys can grow to weigh between 20 and 30 pounds.

When the auction time draws near, the turkey meat is then produced and judged before the show. The turkeys are then placed into seperate categories, depending on their quality, and each student is allowed to take one Hen and one Tom, where each will sell for an average of $250. Members in the community are encouraged to bid on, and purchase the turkey of their choice. Every participant will have the opportunity to sell at least one turkey at the auction.

Many of the turkeys go home with families for Thanksgiving, but the FFA Organization and 4-H Club have partnered up with the Utah Food Bank and many people in the community either contribute to, or buy an entire turkey, and then donate it back to the Utah Food Bank.

“Turkey raising is for everybody involved in the FFA Organization and 4-H. There are many handicapped children in the community who are also raising turkeys. It is a wonderful experience for them,” said Peterson, “They get to work in an environment where they would normally be afraid and all of the kids just have fun with it.”