The turkey whisperer

Axel Linde of Lindenhof Farm in Kirkwood, PA, wears a sweatshirt embroidered with the words “Turkey Whisperer” when he sets up the market table where Thanksgiving customers come to pick up his turkeys. Axel and his wife Susan have been raising turkeys for 20 years.

Of the 1,000 turkeys he raises, 100 are Heritage Bronze and Heritage Black Spanish. The other 900 are Broad Breasted White turkeys. They also raise chicken for meat and for eggs, cattle, lambs, hogs, ducks and geese. All of the animals are raised on pasture.

Axel takes their meats and eggs to four local farmers markets. All of them are producer-only and offer customers quality, locally grown farm products. They are open year-round to provide consumers with healthy choices.

Divided into four flocks, Lindenhof’s free-range turkeys are moved to fresh grass several times a week. This involves moving their two-foot-high electric netting and repositioning it.

“The electric netting keeps the turkeys in and the predators out,” said Axel. “It provides protection against foxes, coyotes, raccoons and other predators.”

The turkeys are fed a balanced diet of local grains and organic vitamins and minerals. The birds have plenty of fresh, clean water inside their netted pastures.

“Right now, one-fourth of their diet includes local whole grain wheat, purchased in bulk from a neighboring farm at harvest time,” said Axel (as of Nov. 13).

His son Stephen, the third generation, is in charge of production and helps in many ways to keep the farm running smoothly.

“Our full-time employee, Jonathan, takes care of feeding, watering and keeping all the animals safe and healthy,” Axel explained.

What does Axel like best about working with turkeys? “They are good grazers and fun to work with. They make a distinct gobble when they get moved to fresh, green grass. The turkeys learn that they are going to get moved when they see us coming and get quite excited. It’s a very happy sound that I enjoy hearing, despite the extra work. Turkeys on grass are extra tender and flavorful,” he said.

“It’s a whole team effort. My two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth, and their husbands help. My wife helps at markets and with bookkeeping. The grandchildren are also busy with chores and help at farmers markets too. They love to help collect, wash and package the eggs and label them for market.”

The farm produces about 100 dozen eggs daily from their flock of hybrid Red Sex Link chickens.

The 88-acre Lindenhof Farm is nestled in southern Lancaster County, surrounded by Plain Folk neighbors. Axel often sees his neighbors driving by in horse-drawn buggies. He noted that his Amish neighbors work hard and own the local hardware store, local plumbing store and other businesses.

“They are wonderful neighbors. They are very helpful. I’m very grateful to associate with them,” he said.

The Amish also own the four meat processors where he takes his turkeys.

On Nov. 17, friends and family started catching and delivering the turkeys for processing. This is where Axel’s skills as turkey whisperer shine through. “We catch them in the evening. They are much quieter. It’s less stress on the turkeys. We gently load them into the pick-up trucks and trailers and try to get a little sleep before the busy market days,” he said.

Never frozen, the birds are fresh for the hundreds of local customers who come to Lindenhof Farm for their Thanksgiving turkeys. They offer small, medium, large and jumbo White turkeys as well as small to medium Heritage turkeys, turkey breasts and assorted parts.

Pre-ordered turkeys are taken to markets the week prior to Thanksgiving. Many repeat customers pick up their birds at Eagleview, Oakmont, West Chester and Kennett Square Farmers Markets, all in southeastern Pennsylvania. Turkey pre-orders closed on Nov. 19. However, Lindenhof Farm will be taking orders for fresh Christmas turkeys on the website.

Their farm is enrolled in “Clean and Green,” a PA preferential tax assessment based on agricultural land use that encourages the protection of the commonwealth’s valuable farmland, forestland and open spaces.

Lindenhof Farm and their animals were featured in a film made by Small Hill Farms. It can be viewed on the Lindenhof Farm website at lindenhoffarm.com by scrolling to the bottom of the homepage.

by Laura Rodley