Recently I sat down with Michael and Jessica Shaffstall, to talk about their journey in starting a farm in Fairbanks Alask. It was a dream of many years. Mike is Active Duty military and was stationed in Fairbanks where he and his family fell in love with Fairbanks and wanted to make it their forever home. It didn’t happen till he was stationed in Fairbanks for the second and his final tour.
Their journey is inspiring, they have five kids they home school, he works full time with the Army, and they started a farm in 2021. After couple years of trying to figure out what will be their niche, they have mastered that and in 2024, they came to the Farmers Market with a splash.
Their farm is on six and a half acres, where they have utilized creative ways to build, heat and outfit shelters for the chicks and hens. Adequate space is important. Chicks and hens have space, so their stress level is reduced and thus eliminating behavior problems. Animal comes first!
Clearly these are lessons they are teaching their kids so they can raise ethically and compassionate kids and set the right example of how to treat animals.
They bring their unique product of “fresh never frozen” chicken, eggs, bread and turkeys to the farm. All animals are ethically raised and that in itself is unique as they might be the only one practicing that method of raising animals.
Their chicken is absolutely fantastic! I had the pleasure of purchasing one and making it for my family. It was the best chicken we have had! It’s true, you start with a good product when making food. Jessica makes bread that is a European type of bread and is amazing!
Check them out in summer at the Tanana Valley Farmers market on Wednesday and Saturday, Southside Market on Tuesdays, and in Winter at the Winter Market, 2645 Goldstream Road on every other Sunday 2-4:30
You can find them at yellowwoodak.com or follow them on Facebook.
It’s not just what they bring to the market, but their happy, joyful personality that is so endearing.
The farm name comes from Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken.” The phrase “yellow wood” symbolizes a time of change or transition, representing a critical juncture in life where a significant decision needs to be made, often signifying the weight of choices and their consequences on one’s life journey.
Isn’t it a happy circumstance that they Shaffstall’s choice in deciding their life’s journey and choices brought them to Fairbanks? It’s is indeed a positive choice for them, and we benefit as well.
You can find them at yellowwoodak.com or follow them on Facebook
You can find this episode wherever you get your podcasts, and also on jostablealaska.com
Please follow the Jo’s Table Alaska podcast so you don’t miss any episodes. Enjoy!