{"id":54720,"date":"2025-11-18T15:53:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/54720\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T15:53:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T15:53:08","slug":"texas-aggies-lead-the-nations-turkey-industry-into-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/54720\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Aggies lead the nation\u2019s turkey industry into the future"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Americans prepare their Thanksgiving tables, two Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<\/a> former students are ensuring the main course stays plentiful and safe.<\/p>\n

Leslee Oden \u201907, president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation<\/a>, and Lindy Chiaia Froebel \u201913, Ph.D., the federation\u2019s senior vice president of science and policy, are leading voices for the nation\u2019s turkey producers and processors.<\/p>\n

As graduates of the Department of Poultry Science,<\/a> Oden and Froebel have built careers at the crossroads of agriculture, science and public policy, work that places them in the middle of national conversations on animal health, trade and food safety.<\/p>\n

With Thanksgiving approaching, the two are gearing up for one of their industry\u2019s most visible traditions: the annual White House turkey presentation, better known as the \u201cTurkey Pardon.\u201d This year marks Oden\u2019s 15th and Froebel\u2019s seventh time helping bring the event to life.\u201cIt\u2019s our Super Bowl,\u201d Oden said with a smile. \u201cBut more than that, it\u2019s a national celebration of the farmers and families who make Thanksgiving possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Leslee<\/a>National Turkey Federation leaders Lindy Chiaia Froebel \u201913 and Leslee Oden \u201907, graduates of the Department of Poultry Science, have built careers at the crossroads of agriculture, science and public policy, work that places them in the middle of national conversations on animal health, trade and food safety. (National Turkey Federation)<\/p>\n

From Texas to Capitol Hill<\/p>\n

Oden grew up in Leona, <\/a>and her roots in agriculture run deep.<\/p>\n

\u201cI showed broilers in 4-H and FFA and always had a passion for agriculture,\u201d she said. \u201cTexas A&M gave me the foundation to turn that passion into a career advocating for an industry I care deeply about.\u201d<\/p>\n

After earning her bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degrees in poultry science, Oden joined the National Turkey Federation as an intern in 2009. Sixteen years later, she leads the organization and represents turkey growers, processors and allied businesses across the country on issues ranging from disease control to production to environmental and consumer regulations.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of the greatest honors of my life to represent this industry,\u201d Oden said. \u201cThe people who make up American agriculture are some of the most dedicated, hardworking individuals you\u2019ll ever meet. Getting to tell their story and advocate for their needs is a privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n

An Aggie connection sparks a career<\/p>\n

Froebel earned three degrees from Texas A&M including a bachelor\u2019s and doctorate in poultry science and a master\u2019s from the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Froebel first met Oden in Aggieland during a classroom visit where Oden shared insights from her work in Washington. The conversation sparked a connection and led to a summer internship at the federation for Froebel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did an informational interview with Leslee to learn about her work in legislative affairs,\u201d Froebel said. \u201cThat connection opened the door for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now six years into her career with the federation, Froebel was recently named to The Association of Former Students\u2019 12 Under 12 list<\/a> in 2024, which honors young alumni who make an impact through their careers and service to the Aggie Network.<\/p>\n

In her role, she focuses on science-based policy and food safety initiatives, helping the industry navigate federal regulations and advance data-driven solutions to public health challenges such as salmonella and avian influenza.<\/p>\n

Both leaders said the industry\u2019s top priority today is combating highly pathogenic avian influenza, a virus that has significantly affected turkey and egg producers nationwide.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been dealing with this outbreak for four years now,\u201d Froebel said. \u201cOur role is to make sure federal policies are informed by what\u2019s really happening in the field and that producers have access to the tools and resources they need.\u201d <\/p>\n

For Oden, the ongoing crisis underscores the importance of science-based advocacy, a skillset she credits Texas A&M for instilling.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom production to policy, that foundation prepared me to understand every aspect of the industry,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

Transform Your Future<\/p>\n

Discover degrees from the largest poultry sceince program in the United States, and learn how you can shape the future of the poultry. <\/p>\n

Giving back to the next generation<\/p>\n

While both women operate in the fast-paced environment of Washington, they stay connected to Aggieland and frequently return to speak with students about careers in agricultural policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was in school, I didn\u2019t realize there were opportunities in D.C. for people with a poultry science background,\u201d Oden said. \u201cNow it\u2019s important to me that students see all the different ways they can serve this industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Froebel echoed that message. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you haven\u2019t engaged in an internship that relates to a potential career path, take that leap, even if it means leaving Texas. You\u2019ll learn so much about yourself and the world.\u201d<\/p>\n


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