The Stonewall Farm Turns 30

Stonewall Farm proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of dedication to sustainable farming, vibrant community engagement and transformative educational programs. Since its inception, Stonewall Farm has championed environmental stewardship and hands-on learning, nurturing both the land and the community it serves. This milestone not only reflects a legacy of ecological responsibility but also underscores the farm's enduring commitment to fostering a deeper connection between people and the land through innovative practices and meaningful outreach. Stonewall Farm is inviting the community to help celebrate this milestone in a Back to Our Roots 30th Anniversary Festival being held on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 12:30 to 6 p.m. This should be an unforgettable day filled with fun, food and festivities and packed to the brim with exciting activities, horse drawn wagon rides, raffles, live music and demonstrations. "The Back to Our Roots 30th Anniversary Festival is a celebration of three decades of farming traditions, offering the community a genuine farm festival experience," said Gina De Santis, Executive Director of Stonewall Farm. "This event invites attendees to immerse themselves in agriculture, witnessing firsthand the evolution from traditional techniques to modern-day practices. It's a unique opportunity to honor our rich farming heritage while showcasing the innovations that drive sustainable farming today. We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone with the community that has supported us over the years. This event is a tribute to our visionary founder, Mike Kidder, and the Kidder Family, as well as everyone who has been part of our journey. We look forward to many more years of growth and community engagement." There will be over 20 local vendors showcasing a vibrant array of unique goods and crafts including baked goods, photography, pottery, jewelry, crystals and so much more. The event highlights will include many traditional farming demonstrations. Guests can watch incredible sheep herding with border collies from Morse Brook Farm's Border Collies and witness the strength and skill of the draft horses of Long View Farm, Inc. Douglas Finke will be demonstrating masterful woodworking throughout the day and Gary Kalajian will be demonstrating the artistry of blacksmithing. Visitors will be able to learn about the fascinating world of bees with experienced beekeepers of Monadnock Beekeepers Association. There will also be tours of the Stonewall Farm Market Garden where guests will be able to connect to their local food source. On the second floor of the Stonewall building there will be live music and traditional contra dancing with lessons. In addition, there will be live musical performances by singer/songwriter Rachel Berlin, indie rock band, Quickdraw and country western band, Regal. You won't have to worry about going hungry while celebrating. There will be plenty of delicious food options with Little Zoe's Pizza, Mama McDonough's, Tito's Taqueria and the Stonewall Farm Store. The 21 and over crowd will not want to miss the thirst-quenching beer garden where there will be a refreshing selection of craft beers from local breweries and guests will have the opportunity to test their strength in one of the stein hoisting contests. Featured breweries will include Liquid Therapy, Granite Roots, West L.A., Bellavance and Branch & Blade, who will be offering a limited-edition Stonewall Farm 30th Anniversary Brew. This event is sponsored by: C&S Wholesale Grocers, Savings Bank of Walpole, Great Eastern Radio, State Farm Insurance-Ed Kingsbury, Hamblet Electric, Tattersall Electric, Powers Guaranteed Services, NBT Bank, Fenton Family Dealerships, Noyes Volkswagen, Kingsbury Fund, Kapiloff Insurance Agency, Badger Balm, Douglas Co., Paragon Digital, Noble Dental and The Cheshire Horse. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for children under 12 and kids under three are free. $35 beer garden admission includes general admission plus beer garden access for adults 21 and over. Childcare is available for up to two hours. Tickets are available at the door and in advance on their website. All proceeds will support the farm's ongoing mission to promote an abundant food system that helps both people and the planet thrive. Stonewall Farm is located at 242 Chesterfield Road, Keene. For the latest schedule, demonstration times and a full list of featured brews visit, www.stonewallfarm.org.