On November 21, 2025, the Georgia Department of Agriculture will host the State of Georgia’s Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon Ceremony. The event will take place at the Commissioner’s Ceremonial Office in Atlanta and is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper and State Board of Pardons & Paroles Chairwoman Joyette Holmes will lead the ceremony. Two turkeys, Tom and Jake, from Adrienne and Ken Hodgkins’ family farm in Monroe County, are set to be featured during the event.
According to the announcement, “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.” The ceremony aims to emphasize both the role of the State Board of Pardons & Parole in providing second chances to Georgians and highlight agriculture’s importance to Georgia’s economy as the holiday season approaches.
Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP with Matthew Agvent, Communications Director for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
