Georgia Department of Agriculture logo

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler J Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334

MEDIA ADVISORY: Georgia Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon

ATLANTA, GA – On Friday, November 21st, 2025,  join Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) Commissioner Tyler J Harper and State Board of Pardons & Paroles Chairwoman Joyette Holmes for the State of Georgia’s Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon Ceremony. This event will highlight the State Board of Pardons & Parole’s role of providing deserving Georgians with a second chance as well as the importance of agriculture to Georgia’s economy ahead of the holiday season.

Who:

  • Tyler J Harper – Commissioner, Georgia Department of Agriculture
  • Joyette Holmes – Chairwoman, State Board of Pardons & Paroles
  • Tom & Jake – Red Bourbon and Bronze Turkeys from Adrienne & Ken Hodgkins family farm in Monroe County, Ga

What:
Join Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper and Board of Pardons & Paroles Chairwoman Joyette Holmes as they bring a longstanding Thanksgiving tradition to the State of Georgia. On behalf of the State Board of Pardons & Parole, Chairwoman Holmes will approve Commissioner Harper’s request and formally pardon Tom the Turkey – sparing him from Thanksgiving plates this year. This event will highlight the State Board of Pardons & Parole’s role of providing deserving Georgians with a second chance as well as the importance of agriculture to Georgia’s economy ahead of the holiday season.

Where:
Georgia Department of Agriculture – Commissioner’s Ceremonial Office
47 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, Ga 30317

*The Commissioner’s Office Suite is located on the ground floor of the Health Building behind the CLOB in the Capitol Office Complex

When:
Friday, November 21st, 2025, at 1:30 PM

RSVP:
Matthew Agvent, Communications Director
770-238-7216
Matthew.Agvent@agr.georgia.gov

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About the GDA
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is the voice of the state's agriculture community. The department's mission is to provide excellence in services and regulatory functions, to protect and promote agriculture and consumer interests, and to ensure an abundance of safe food and fiber for Georgia, America, and the world by using state-of-the-art technology and a professional workforce.

Find us on Facebook • Follow on Twitter: @GDAFoodSafety@GeorgiaGrown

For more information, visit www.agr.georgia.gov.

Georgia Department of Agriculture logo

Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tyler J Harper, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334