Published Nov 9, 2023 by Meredith Jordan

She said she is fortunate because on some of the trips to the farm she will be accompanied by a graduate student. That’s part of a project with the University of Alaska partially funded by a grant.

Mesdag is confident the long-term future is bright for Salty Lady, and for the shellfish industry in Alaska. She is most proud of the operation being a family farm. Mesdag’s husband, Alec Mesdag, is at home and on the phone as they work, testing the security cameras on site from afar. He is key to the success of Salty Lady, she said.

Some of Salty Lady’s winter customers include Hangar on the Wharf, Island Pub in Douglas, Jerry’s Meats & Seafood, Super Bear IGA at Mendenhall Mall, and private buyers who purchase from the website.

“The general proximity to Juneau is a big win for marketing and delivery,” said Eric Wyatt, co-owner of Blue Star Oyster Co., whose nursery supplies Salty Lady with oyster starts. Mesdag does “a great job,” he said.

Salty Lady also ships orders out of town, including to Fairbanks and Portland.

Creating an oyster of “unparalleled quality” is a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort, insists Mesdaq.

The Salty Lady oyster is “hands down, the best oyster, anywhere,” she said.