2020 National Thanksgiving Turkey

For the first time, Iowa State University is serving as the home of the official National Thanksgiving Turkey. The official Thanksgiving Turkey and alternate bird - Corn and Cob - were raised in Iowa by an Iowa State University alum and were available for public viewing at Iowa State University on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. If you missed seeing them on December 5th, please stay tuned and check back for more times in the spring.

FAQs for Visiting the National Thanksgiving Turkeys at Iowa State University

Q: When can we come visit Corn and Cob?

A: If you missed seeing them at our public event on December 5th, please stay tuned and check back here for more times to be announced in the spring.

Seal of the National Thanksgiving Turkey

Q: What health and safety measures will be in place?

A: All Iowa State University guidelines will be followed including required face coverings, 6-foot physical distancing, current COVID capacity restrictions, hand sanitizer availability, and frequent disinfection of highly touched surfaces. If you or your family members have been sick in the past 2 weeks, we ask that you please stay home and visit us another time. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are in the quarantine timeframe, please stay at home. Click here to read the university guidelines.

Q: Will I need a face covering?

A: Yes, everyone will need a face covering when visiting Iowa State University. Face coverings should cover the nose and mouth. Per university policy, a cloth face covering is acceptable, however face shields are not. Face coverings will not be provided, so please bring your own. For further questions, please view the full policy here: https://web.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/safety/COVID-19/fall/ISU%20COVID%20face%20covering%20policy.pdf

Q: Can I visit if I have been sick or quarantined?

A: If you have been sick, quarantined or exposed to someone with COVID-19 recently, we ask that you please stay home and come visit the turkeys at a later time.

Q: Can we visit the other teaching farms while we are there?

A: Unfortunately, no. While we are happy to have the Thanksgiving turkeys available for public viewing, our other farms are not open to the public at this time. We hope you will come back and visit once we are able to open the farms back up for visitors. Visit https://www.ans.iastate.edu/farms for more information.

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