Conservation at the Farm

Oxbow farm is committed to improving the health of our fish and wildlife habitat, while maintaining our ability to farm and work our land. Since 2001, we have been working with Stewardship Partners and others to conserve and restore habitat and educate the community about farming and the environment. Recently, we restored a one-half mile section of river bank along the Snoqualmie River. We have learned to incorporate farming practices that help the native trees and shrubs planted to thrive. We have also been monitoring the health of the oxbow and seeking ways to improve its connection to the river. This summer, we will be restoring a wetland to provide habitat for birds and amphibians. 

For more information about conservation on the farm or to become actively involved in restoration activities, visit the Stewardship Partners website at stewardshippartners.org.

Certified "Salmon-Safe"

Oxbow Farm has been awarded ‘Salmon-Safe’ certification, an emerging Northwest eco-label to recognize farming practices that protect the health of our rivers and streams.

Salmon-Safe was originally founded in 1997 by the Pacific Rivers Council in Oregon. Stewardship Partners, a non-profit conservation organization, is promoting the program in Washington, starting with a focused effort on our beautiful, productive, and ecologically significant Snoqualmie Valley. The Snoqualmie supports several species of salmon including the federally threatened chinook, as well as coho, chum, pink, and steelhead.

Salmon require clean, cool rivers for spawning and reproduction. However, erosion and runoff from poorly managed farms can bring silt into their spawning habitats, covering their nesting sites and leaving the unhatched salmon eggs exposed to dangers they cannot survive. In addition, chemicals used on farms wash into the rivers, causing damage to young fish, and excessive irrigation can deplete water supplies.

Under the Salmon-Safe guidelines, our farming practices were determined to be fish friendly in five major categories: protecting and restoring our stream banks by planting native vegetation, minimizing erosion into streams by keeping our fields cover cropped, efficient use of irrigation water, and using natural weed and pest control methods in lieu of toxic chemicals.

We are proud to continue our commitment to sustainable farming practices and promoting the conservation and restoration of native salmon concurrent with our farming.

Farmer Sarah talks conservation

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