American Family Farmer

This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan welcomes Dave and Barb Zerbe of Esbenshade Turkey Farm—America’s oldest operating turkey farm, proudly rooted in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.Esbenshade Turkey Farm has been a Lancaster County original since 1858, spanning seven generations of tradition, craftsmanship, and family pride. Barb Zerbe represents the fifth generation of the Esbenshade lineage, and together she and her husband Dave continue the legacy built by the family’s beloved patriarch, Bob Esbenshade, who passed in 2020 at the age of 92. Bob’s passion for producing the “best-tasting turkey” and his commitment to customer care helped establish Esbenshade as a gold standard in poultry excellence, earning multiple Grand Champion awards at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show.Today, the Zerbes carry on that mission by raising their cage-free turkeys from day-old poults and hand dressing each one on the farm using time-tested, proprietary methods. Their turkeys—known for their exceptional tender