DAYTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — After weeks of speculation, it is now confirmed that the Shenandoah Valley’s largest poultry operation has been sold. Cargill has finalized an agreement to sell its turkey processing facilities in Dayton, Virginia, to Pitman Family Farms, a family‑owned poultry company based in California with more than 65 years of industry experience.

Speculation of the sale first surfaced in January, but both companies declined to comment at the time. Cargill has now confirmed to WSVA that the transaction is complete. The deal includes the Dayton processing plant, the cold‑storage facility in Mount Crawford, the local feed mill, and all other local assets tied to Cargill’s turkey production.

Cargill has long been one of Rockingham County’s largest employers, with a workforce of roughly 1,400 people. Local officials and industry observers say the transition marks one of the most significant ownership changes in the Valley’s poultry sector in years.

The modern turkey industry in the United States can trace its history to Rockingham County, which is known worldwide as “The Turkey Capital.” The first commercial turkey flock in U.S. history was on the Charlie Wampler family farm, located just a couple of miles away from the modern processing facility in Dayton.

Pitman Family Farms has not yet announced any operational changes. We have reached out to them for comment, but have not received a response to date.