EIF-B_Where We Come From

GOBBLE GOODNESS
EASTERN IOWA FARMER PHOTO / BRITTANY NOPAR
Brockmann Timbers maple syrup is sold on
“Turkey Day,” along with a specialty Boetje’s
mustard made with Brockmann Timbers maple
syrup.
he had 100 turkeys smoked. His smoked
turkeys are a huge hit and are becoming
requested more and more, he said.
The day before Thanksgiving is gotime:
the day when floods of people arrive
at Brockmann Farms to pick out their
fresh turkeys. “I got my first call at 6:18
a.m. this morning,” he said. “I was still in
bed!” It’s not uncommon for Brockmann
to have customers show up at 6 a.m. But
the majority come around 8 a.m., and it’s
a steady stream after that.
He likes to offer snacks, beer, and pop
for people to stick around and mingle.
Some customers stay as late as 9 p.m.
“I usually ask them to turn the lights
out when they leave,” Brockmann said,
laughing. “I’ve even had people stay so
long they forgot their turkeys!”
“Turkey Day” is a whirlwind, according
to Brockmann, but he is glad to have
a lot of help. While he is able to circulate
and solve problems and converse with his
customers, his wife Kim and grandson
Sam help every year by finding the customers’
turkeys in the climate-controlled
truck and hauling the heavy bird to their
cars. Brockmann’s sister Peggy Sleep and
friend Brenda Drummond help out at the
register.
Every year, Brockmann gets new
customers, despite the fact that he does
not advertise on social media. People get
wind of the “Chuck” turkeys by word-ofmouth
and some print advertising.
Brockmann’s longest running customers
have been with him for some 15
years. Dynamic Tube from Maquoketa
is his biggest customer, buying about 70
turkeys per year. And his next biggest
customer is the Welton Fire Department.
They hold a “Feather Party” every year
where people can win certificates for free
turkeys. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving,
Brockmann delivers 30 turkeys to the
fire department for the event.
Not only does Brockmann have new,
returning, and big customers, but each
year he also donates some of the turkeys
he raises to a cafe in Eldridge that hosts
a free Thanksgiving dinner. This year he
donated six turkeys, and the cafe furnished
everything else. The entire staff
serves between 100 and 120 people
with nowhere to go for Thanksgiving.
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We address a variety of topics including:
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This number is a completely
confidential source of help
for Iowans in need of legal,
finance, stress management,
and crisis/disaster help.
800-447-1985
— call or text —
www.extension.iastate.edu/scott
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located!
1706 Brady Street
Suite 306
Davenport
322-6271
519 9th St.
P.O. Box 404
DeWitt
659-1577
154 S. 4th Ave.
P.O. Box 197
Eldridge
285-4121
Scott County | 563-359-7577
eifarmer.com SPRING 2024 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 27