Meet Michelle Townsend | Owner, Hayden Fresh Farm

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Townsend and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor behind the success of Hayden Fresh Farm is the strong, authentic relationship my husband, Colby, and I have built—and continue to build—with our customers. We prioritize transparency and connection, inviting our customers to understand how and why we raise our animals the way we do. That trust has been key to our growth. We’re always learning, evolving, and striving to do better—for our animals, our land, and the people who support us.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We started Hayden Fresh Farm in 2018 with just a few hundred laying hens and one restaurant customer in Steamboat Springs, CO. Fast forward to 2025, and we now raise around 3,000 laying hens, 1,000 meat chickens, 200 turkeys, and over 300 pigs. Our eggs and pork products are served at more than 20 restaurants and sold in three local grocery stores.

Like any business rooted in agriculture, ours has had its fair share of highs and lows. Raising animals is a lot like raising children—each day brings moments of joy and moments of challenge. Operating in a cold, high-altitude climate adds another layer of difficulty. We’ve dealt with frozen water lines, snow drifts, feed trucks delayed by road closures, and storms that complicate everyday tasks.

Scaling up hasn’t been easy either. The spread of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) has made sourcing chicks difficult, with many of our orders arriving short. We also didn’t plan to breed pigs ourselves—we had hoped to be a finishing operation and work with a local breeder. But after a few disappointing partnerships, we ended up transitioning to a farrow-to-finish model and began breeding and raising our own pigs. It’s been a steep learning curve, but we’ve leaned on resources like YouTube, Facebook groups, and APPPA (American Pastured Poultry Producers Association) to guide us.

We’re constantly learning, adapting, and improving—not just for our animals, but for our land as well. Every management decision we make is with an eye toward sustainability and stewardship. What we’re most proud of is being able to provide high-quality, locally raised food to our community. That connection—to our customers, our animals, and the land—is what drives us every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re incredibly lucky to live just outside the beautiful resort town of Steamboat Springs, CO—a place that offers something amazing in every season. If my best friend were visiting for a week, we’d have a packed itinerary full of outdoor adventure, great food, and local charm.

We’d start with some hiking or mountain biking in the stunning Flat Tops Wilderness Area, followed by a day at one of our nearby reservoirs—Stagecoach, Elkhead, or Steamboat Lake—for paddleboarding, kayaking, or just relaxing by the water. In the winter, we’d switch gears and hit the slopes for skiing or snowboarding, then maybe snowmobiling or a cozy sleigh ride in the evening.

For meals, we’d make our way through Steamboat’s incredible restaurant scene—some of the best dining in all of Colorado. And of course, I’d proudly recommend the spots that feature our farm’s eggs and pork on their menus. There’s nothing better than seeing your ingredients brought to life by talented local chefs.

We’d definitely squeeze in a horseback ride, soak in the hot springs, stroll through downtown to shop local, and maybe catch some live music or a rodeo if the timing’s right. Whether it’s summer or winter, Steamboat has a way of making every day feel like a celebration of the outdoors and community. We are truly blessed to call this place home!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a big shoutout to Colorado State University, where I earned my BS in Equine Science and Animal Science. The education I received there laid the foundation for everything that followed. My husband and I went on to own and operate Elk River Pet & Ranch for 23 years, and during that time, I gained hands-on experience in feed and livestock management, while also building strong relationships within our local community. That chapter of my life taught me so much and continues to influence the work I do today.

Website: https://haydenfreshfarm.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/haydenfreshfarm

Facebook: https://facebook.com/haydenfreshfarm

Image Credits
Alihallphotos