Turkey timeline: When and where to order your local Thanksgiving bird from these North Carolina farms

This Thanksgiving, order a sustainably raised turkey from a local farm instead of fighting over a frozen bird during your last-minute grocery run

It’s no coincidence that the sound a turkey makes and the verb for devouring said turkey are the same: “Gobble, gobble!”

But if you ask us, turkeys taste even better when you know they’ve been raised in nearby pastures by friendly North Carolinian farmers. 

Check out these 13 local farms and get ready for a true farm-to-table Thanksgiving experience. (Note: Quantity is limited, especially if the meat is served fresh, so most farms require deposits to secure your bird. Don’t procrastinate.)

WESTERN NC

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckijo0FMp8d/

Where: Fairview 

How Much: $6.99 per pound, with turkeys ranging from 14-25 pounds each

What To Know: Because the farm has a limited supply, you must pay a $20 deposit in advance to guarantee you get a bird. 

What’s To Love: The Broad Breasted turkeys at this farm are pasture-raised—with rotational grazing—and free from added hormones and antibiotics. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Woven Roots Farmstead

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwA7_LbLtkA/

Where: Black Mountain

How Much: $7.50 per pound, with turkeys weighing 9-18 pounds

What To Know: To order, call or text 828-231-9336, email, or message on Facebook or Instagram. Orders require a $20 deposit via cash or Venmo and can be picked up at Black Mountain Tailgate Market until Nov. 18. 

What’s To Love: All turkeys are pastured, non-GMO-fed, and Broad Breasted Whites. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Wild East Farm

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq_hffhre-t/?img_index=1

Where: Marion

How Much: $10 per pound, with turkeys weighing 10-15 pounds

What To Know: You must pay a $50 deposit online, then pick up your bird between Nov. 19-22. 

What’s To Love: The working farm also has an agricultural education center that holds workshops and events. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

CENTRAL NC

Carolina Pastures

Where: Hurdle Mills

How Much: Half-turkey, $19.50; turkey wings, $16; bone-in turkey breast, $35; leg quarters, $24

What To Know: Home delivery is available anywhere in the Triangle area. 

What’s To Love: Half-turkeys cook better and have better proportions than small, whole birds. All the turkeys are pasture-raised and free from chemicals, antibiotics, and GMOs.

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Evans Family Farm

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClJg1fupSsK/

Where: Mount Ulla

How Much: $8 per pound, which comes out to $64-$160

What To Know: All turkeys are sold frozen and come with cooking tips. An online deposit will secure your bird. 

What’s To Love: The free-range turkeys on this farm are grass-fed and supplemented with non-GMO feed. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Little Way Farm

Where: Siler City

How Much: $13.74 per pound, with turkeys weighing 12.5-17.5 pounds

What To Know: Products ship to you or can be picked up at the farm or the Siler City Growers & Makers Market. 

What’s To Love: With five stars on Google Review, the farm is transparent about its ethical farming practices. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Bull City Farm

Where: Rougemont

How Much: A deposit costs $20, but the full price is not listed. 

What To Know: After making a deposit, you can decide on a size range and breed in late October. 

What’s To Love: This year, the farm has a limited number of heritage Spanish Black turkeys, known as one of the tastiest breeds. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Fickle Creek Farm

Where: Efland

How Much: $7.75 per pound, with turkeys weighing 14-25 pounds

What To Know: Broad Breasted White turkeys can be reserved beginning in October. 

What’s To Love: This small family farm’s turkeys are raised in pesticide-free pastures and never confined.  

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Jimmy Acres Farm

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5goXU7HZ9R/?img_index=1

Where: Chapel Hill, Lake Hyco, and Greensboro

How Much: $8 per pound 

What To Know: You can order your bird by visiting the farm stand or Eno River Farmers Market, or by emailing [email protected]. Pickup is on Nov. 20, or you can have it delivered for $5 extra. 

What’s To Love: All turkeys are fed organic feed from a nearby local farm. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Ninja Cow Farm

Where: Raleigh

How Much: $8.75 per pound

What To Know: Deposits of $40 can be made in the farm store. 

What’s To Love: The funky name of this family farm has a hilarious backstory. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Rocky Run Farm

https://www.instagram.com/p/CktAIAFrLK7/

Where: Mebane

How Much: Whole birds for $8 per pound, half-birds for $9 per pound

What To Know: A non-refundable $25 deposit is required to reserve your turkey. Pickup takes place at various area farmers markets between Nov. 18-21. 

What’s To Love: The Broad Breasted White turkeys are rotated on fresh pastures and fed non-GMO feed. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

EASTERN NC

Oak Ridge Farms

Where: Zebulon

How Much: A deposit costs $35, to be subtracted from the total cost of $7.95 per pound.

What To Know: You can make a deposit up until November 13.

What’s To Love: The farm (which is rated 4.9 stars on Facebook) prides itself on conscientious practices and delectable flavors.

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here. 

Shenk Family Farm

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkquUEsudML/?hl=en

Where: Newport

How Much: $8.49 per pound, with turkeys weighing 10-20 pounds

What To Know: You must pay a $50 deposit before Nov. 10 to secure your bird. Pickup is at the farm home on Nov. 18. 

What’s To Love: The farmers claim you’ll be “spoiled for life” once you try one of their flavorful turkeys. 

Check out the farm’s Thanksgiving offerings here.