Hillside Turkey Farms

2019 Frederick

TURKEY FARMS

Back in 1939, Thurmont farmers Pauline and Ross Smith ran a successful beef and dairy operation. Gifted a few turkey eggs, Pauline decided to put them under a chicken, hoping they would hatch. When they did, she raised them and sold them at Thanksgiving. Pauline realized the opportunity, and eventually the Smiths decided to raise and sell turkeys full time.

Today, Hillside Turkey Farms has the capability to raise 180,000 birds each year.

A third generation privately owned farm and plant, Hillside specializes in producing and processing fresh turkeys and poultry. The farm is a wholesaler and retailer, offering its highquality products to a wide range of customers including families and restaurants in and around the Washington, D.C. metro area, Baltimore, and Lancaster, Pa.

The Smith family operates the full-time turkey farm, a USDAinspected plant, and a retail store in Thurmont. Though especially

Hillside Turkey Farms

Judi and Bryan Smith, owners

30 Elm St., Thurmont • 301-271-2728 • hillsideturkey.com

busy during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, the store is open year-round, not just for holidays and special occasions.

Turkey is the family’s specialty, and the store offers fresh and smoked whole birds, breasts, salads, soups, potpies and more. Also available are a variety of delicacies such as ring bologna, franks, jerky, smoked sausages, deli-sliced cheese, luncheon meat, pork, country ham and seafood.

Hillside turkeys are antibiotic–free and no oils or fats are injected or otherwise added. Almost all of what the company markets is grown and made in Thurmont.

Pauline and Ross Smith’s grandson Bryan runs Hillside Turkey Farms today, with his wife, Judi. Their children now work in the store, too. A fourth generation of Smiths now sells Hillside turkey to many third–generation customers, too.

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