When Don and Pat Daufeldt started farming part-time in the ‘70s, turkeys were not a part of the plan. At that time, turkeys were just a part of their Thanksgiving dinner.

But a representative from Louis Rich contacted the Daufeldts and noted their location in relation to their nearby processing plant, which is now West Liberty Foods, just a mile from their farm.

“They picked here because it was close to the plant where they were going to use the birds versus hauling them,” Pat said.

Having no background in the industry, Don, who had worked at Eastern Iowa Light and Power for 16 years, said the opportunity was appealing because it would give him an opportunity to be home more with his family.

The first poults arrived at the family’s farm on Jan. ...