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Four generations of family have worked at turkey farm

Johnson Farms prepare 400 birds for local holiday dinners

Sarah Johnson, 15, holds her favorite turkey, Lola, on Friday, Nov. 20. She and her brother, Zach, 13, are fourth-generation turkey farmers at the Johnson Farms.

Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli Sarah Johnson, 15, holds her favorite turkey, Lola, on Friday, Nov. 20. She and her brother, Zach, 13, are fourth-generation turkey farmers at the Johnson Farms.

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 10:10 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

TURTLECREEK TWP. — Despite the early hours, messy work environment, and occasional hazard — turkey bites — Zach Johnson, 13, loves going to work.

“I have the best job,” Zach said before moving a single finger sideways across his throat to demonstrate his current profession. “I’m the killer.”

Zach and his sister Sarah, 15, are fourth-generation turkey farmers at the Johnson Farms. Each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, the entire Johnson family, including in-laws and close friends, gather in an assembly line to prepare 400 turkeys for local dinners across Warren and Clinton counties.

The Johnsons have been raising turkeys for 72 years, since Zach and Sarah’s great-grandfather, Henry Johnson, started the turkey farm in Turtlecreek Twp. on Ohio 741. The Johnsons operated in Warren County until 2002 when they shifted their operations full time to outside of Wilmington.

“We have a lot of repeat customers who’ve been getting turkeys from us for generations,” said Leslee Johnson, who with husband, Walt, runs the farm.

“I was in the barn since I was in the crib,” Zach said.

The Johnson children were weaned on the family trade, removing gizzards before moving to other areas. Today, Sarah handles orders and customer service and also works the prep line during the busy season.

“I’ve never been squeamish about it,” Sarah said. “It’s just part of what we do as a family.”

The children said turkeys are generally well-behaved, even following people around the farms like a fine-feathered herd. Zach said turkeys only become mean when they are hungry, and then they can be prone to biting.

Contrary to expectations, Leslee said Thanksgiving is not the busiest time on the farm. While the Johnsons raise turkeys with their eyes set on Thanksgiving, they process poultry throughout the year and are busiest during summer months, when they handle birds from several county fairs.

Of course, once all the turkeys are prepared, the Johnson’s still have to worry about their own Thanksgiving feast.

“Honestly, that’s the easy part,” said Leslee, who often prepares two turkeys for the large family gathering. “Once Thanksgiving comes around, it’s just a meal.”

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