While Illinois may not rank among the top turkey-producing states, local farms are making a significant impact with sustainable, small-scale production. The Midwest, led by Minnesota, dominates the U.S. turkey industry, but Illinois produces about five million turkeys each year, driven by independent farmers who focus on quality and community. Many of Illinois’s turkey producers are concentrated around Central Illinois, where USDA-inspected processing facilities support the industry. Still, limited processing infrastructure and workforce challenges have slowed the potential for expansion in Illinois’s poultry sector.
Among Illinois’s notable turkey producers is Yordy Turkey Farm in Morton, known for its high standards in turkey farming. Yordy raises turkeys in a climate-controlled, open-air environment and feeds them an all-natural diet without hormones or antibiotics. Every turkey is USDA inspected and certified, and products can be purchased directly from the farm. “Some of the highest quality turkey products in the nation are produced at Yordy Turkey Farm in Morton,” said Representative Bill Hauter (R-Morton). “The owners and employees at Yordy do it right, and you can taste the difference at the dinner table.”
Another Illinois standout is Windsweep Farm in Dixon, a family-run farm operated by the Sheaffers for four generations. The Sheaffers’ turkeys, along with their other livestock, are raised naturally with no antibiotics and an all-vegetarian diet of homegrown feed. Family farms like Windsweep emphasize humane animal practices and sustainable farming, essential aspects that resonate with Illinois communities.
On a national scale, turkey production declined annually from 2017 to 2022, though production rebounded by 4% in 2023. Illinois’s neighbors Minnesota, Indiana, and Missouri contribute significantly to the U.S. output, with Minnesota leading at 39 million turkeys. Yet Illinois’s smaller-scale farms continue to fill an important niche, offering high-quality, locally raised turkey products that emphasize humane treatment and sustainable practices, supporting local economies and providing Illinois residents with exceptional turkey options right from their own communities.