Darrel Winter, Winter's Turkeys - Dalemead, Alberta

When Darrell Winter started working on his father’s farm in 1958, he didn’t have much of a passion for the business. Over the next several years of raising turkeys, chickens, pigs and cattle, his passive interest developed into a powerful love for farming. “I talk turkey most of the time” laughs Darrel, “It may or may not be a good thing.”

Starting in 1976, Darrell took over operation of the farm and transitioned to raising turkeys exclusively. Operations began with a comparatively small flock of only 145 birds. Currently the farm raises approximately 25,000 birds on a 480 acre farm with free-range and organic turkeys in separate facilities.

Darrell explains the very specific standards for free range birds. The birds must be allowed unlimited access to the outdoors (and indoors), be raised free of antibiotics and growth hormones, and be fed a meat-free diet with lots of access to foraged grains and seeds. Additionally, all Winter’s turkeys are ‘bedded’ (their sleeping and living area is cleaned) three times a week and all efforts are made to keep the birds warn, clean and happy.

Darrell is humble and soft-spoken when asked if he ever worries about becoming attached to any individual turkeys. “We become attached to them all. It’s important to appreciate the gift that these turkeys give us, to respect and thank them for the life they have given up for our benefit.”