Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center inspires people to eat healthy, sustainably grown food and to steward our natural resources for future generations.

Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center is a nonprofit organization located on 240 acres of forest and farmland bordering the Snoqualmie River in Carnation, Washington. Oxbow researches and practices sustainable farming methods, grows food and native plants, and educates people of all ages about agriculture and the environment. Collectively, Oxbow’s work takes real-time action to combat climate change, promote biodiversity, and encourage healthy food systems.

Oxbow connects to the public through special events, educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and a Farm Share program. 

The Center is located on 230 acres of forest and grassland bordered by Western Washington’s Snoqualmie River. We use this mixed landscape to:

Produce food. We cultivate 30 acres of mixed vegetable crops using agro-ecological principles and engage in research to inform conservation farming practice.

Grow native plants. We operate a native plant nursery that produces plants for habitat restoration projects, educational gardens, and urban landscapes, and conducts research on native plant propagation using sustainable growing methods.

Connect children to nature. We offer environmental education programs for children pre-K thru high school to build their comfort in the outdoors and provide them with opportunities to learn about the links between agriculture, conservation, and the environment.

Restore and sustain habitat. We carry out conservation projects and research to learn how humans can use land to our benefit while protecting biodiversity.

Research and education. We conduct and facilitate a wide range of research in agriculture, conservation, native plant production, and program evaluation. We also host students from area colleges and universities to offer them a real-world setting to carry out their own studies and gain practical experience in their fields of study.

Volunteer and citizen science programs. Through gleaning events, restoration projects, children’s programs, and native plant nursery tasks, hundreds of volunteers have shared their passions and learned new skills at Oxbow. Volunteer citizen science projects ensure long-term monitoring of animal populations and restoration outcomes.