SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, cars rolled down the dirt driveway of Skinner Farms in Shelbyville.
Each patron awaiting a turkey; the bird that was killed and processed only the day before.
"You're not going to get a fresher bird anywhere," Dan Skinner said.
Less than a week out from Thanksgiving, the holiday meal is top of mind for many. Skinner Farms in Shelbyville is selling 140 turkeys this year, and they said it's because of the way they raise their livestock that keeps customers coming back.
Thanksgiving turkey pick up day is only scheduled for one afternoon a year -- and the Skinner's boast it's the busiest day of the year.
That's because their turkeys are pasture raised, non-GMO fed and antibiotic free.
"It's that knowing where your food comes from and they know how we raise it," Skinner said. "They know they can drive here on any weekend leading up to Thanksgiving and see those turkeys out on the grass. They're eating the bugs, they're eating the grass, they're doing stuff turkeys are supposed to do. So, they can taste that on their plate when it comes to that meal on Thanksgiving."
Chicken, pork and beef are sold year round on the farm. They said the star of show, the turkeys, are a true example of farm to fork.
"There's nothing in those turkeys except for what they get out of our pastures," Skinner said. "And it shows up. You can tell when you eat them."
The 17-acre farm is complete with horses, ducks, chickens, hogs and cows.
It's owned and operated by Dan, his wife Amy, their two kids.
But on the night shift, their "guardian dog" Charlie watches over the livestock.
Shelly Eckles is a returning customer.
"You're seeing where it's growing, you're seeing how it's treated before it makes it to your plate," Eckles said.
The turkeys are raised in coops that move through the pasture for fresh grass daily.
"We open these doors during the day and they come out and they do their thing out doing turkey things," Skinner said.
Eckles said it's important to shop local.
"It helps just ground you in why you're trying to do this for your family," Eckles said.
The Skinners, and the community, are hooked on "pasture to plate."
"It's the centerpiece of their whole dinner table and they want to be proud of it," Amy said.
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