Oxbow Farm & Market: Ten Years of Local Flavor in Cuyahoga Valley

Oxbow Farm & Market has quietly become Cuyahoga Valley’s go-to spot for local eats and community over the past decade.

If you still think buying local means standing in a parking lot for squash once a month, you clearly haven’t visited Oxbow Farm & Market. After ten years rooted in the Cuyahoga Valley, this spot isn’t just about Ohio-grown veg—it’s become a year-round hub for community, flavor, and some serious pasture swagger.

How It All Started: A Blank Slate and a Dream

A decade ago, Beth and Kyla Werlin took their journal dreams and turned them into reality on a 16-acre patch inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Armed with passion, grit, and a 60-year lease (try getting that commitment from your landlord), the couple literally built Oxbow from the ground up—barns, market, even paddocks for sheep and chickens. Every inch tells the story of sweat, vision, and occasionally, chaos with a side of flying wool.

What’s on the Farm (and Menu)

Today, Oxbow's offerings are as diverse as Cleveland’s weather:

Lamb, chicken, Icelandic sheep (fiber and meat!), ducks, and turkeys—Thanksgiving’s covered
Fresh, seasonal veggies plus you-pick flowers for the Instagram crowd
Pottery crafted from Cuyahoga River clay, and yarn spun from their own flock

Their market isn’t just for farm goods. Dozens of hyper-local partners—think Bay Branch, Cody Gray, and Weaver’s Truck Patch—round out the shelves with everything from honey to hot sauce.

More Than Summer—Local, Year-Round

Sure, it’s easy to get swept up by summer tomatoes, but as any Clevelander knows, our food scene does its best work when the weather turns gnarly. Oxbow’s market stays open five days a week, all year long. The Werlins source and foster goods beyond the July harvest, helping us rethink where our groceries come from—yes, even in January when tomatoes are a myth.

Here’s the move:

Shop Oxbow (or your nearest local farm store) FIRST, not as an afterthought
Let what’s fresh & seasonal inspire your next meal
Fill in the rest at the regular grocery if you must—guilt-free

Building Community One Gathering at a Time

Local flavor isn’t just about food at Oxbow. From live music on a hay wagon to fiber workshops and outdoor gatherings under lunar eclipses, this farm has cultivated a real sense of place. You’ll find:

Community events, from harvest parties to outdoor jams
Hands-on workshops (hello, DIY fiber arts)
A vibe that feels like the cool cousin of your favorite farmers market

Whether you’re a loyal supporter or just dipping your toes into local food, Oxbow makes everyone feel welcome—bare feet, laughter, and all.

How To Visit Oxbow Farm & Market

Ready to check out the scene? Here’s what to know:

Location: Smack inside Cuyahoga Valley National Park, ~11 miles from downtown Cleveland
Market Hours: Open 5 days a week, year-round (call ahead for hours)
Expect: Plenty of parking, friendly faces, and usually a dog or three

Why Oxbow Still Matters—Ten Years In

Ten years on, the Werlins see this anniversary not as a finish line but as a fresh start. In every way, Oxbow keeps challenging what it means to eat, source, and live local. Cleveland’s food scene is richer—and definitely tastier—thanks to spots like theirs.

Stop in for a dozen local eggs, a just-picked bouquet, or an old-fashioned chat. You might just leave with renewed faith in Northeast Ohio agriculture—and a pretty killer dinner.