(Radio Iowa) – The governor’s annual turkey pardoning ceremony highlights an industry that employs 38-thousand Iowans and produces about 12 million turkeys annually. Governor Kim Reynolds hosted the event at the governor’s mansion in Des Moines as two turkeys roamed the grounds.

There are over 130 turkey producers in Iowa. Josh and Kelli Berg of Early brought the two birds who’ve been given a Thanksgiving reprieve.

Berg’s operation now produces about a million turkeys every year. Iowa ranks 7th among the states in turkey production.

Reynolds says the industry will have an estimated 10-point-six BILLION dollar economic impact on the state this year.