DAYTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Virginia Poultry Federation is now confirming reports that Cargill is selling its turkey business in the Shenandoah Valley to California-based Pitman Family Farms.

Hobey Bauhan is president of the Virginia Poultry Federation and tells WSVA that his organization is grateful to Cargill for its many years in Virginia’s turkey industry, and he welcomes Pitman Family Farms to Virginia.

Bauhan says he is encouraged by the continued investment in Virginia’s poultry industry. He says he has spoken with Pitman Family Farms and feels optimistic that their coming to Virginia will be positive for the current Cargill workforce and the growers.

Cargill employs close to 1,400 people in Rockingham County. Bauhan says he doesn’t have any information on whether there will be changes in product mix or branding of turkey products.