Article Contributed by ASHTON-MAGNUSON MEDIA
Published on 2026-08-12
After completing a massive conservation project in Barre, Massachusetts in 2024 — one that has permanently protected more than 800 acres of fields, forests and farmland — Mount Grace Land Trust and Stone Cow Brewery are teaming up once again to host their fourth annual Fields & Forest Forever Music Fest on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
This year’s festival carries special significance as Mount Grace celebrates its 40th anniversary of conserving and stewarding the farms, forests and waterways that define Central and Western Massachusetts.
The 2026 lineup includes Hayden Blount, a rising artist from Savannah, Tennessee, known for his authentic storytelling, roots-country sound and heartfelt songs, along with local favorites The Cropdusters.
The outdoor concert will take place on the scenic fields of Stone Cow Brewery in Barre, Massachusetts. Proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will benefit Mount Grace, helping protect the region’s working lands, wildlife habitat and natural resources for future generations.
In addition to live music, the event will feature local food trucks and a wide selection of Stone Cow Brewery’s farm-crafted beverages. Representatives from Mount Grace will also be on hand to talk with attendees and share information about their work.
“There is no better place for Mount Grace to showcase the importance of landscape-scale conservation than on a property that we’ve helped protect,” said Emma G. Ellsworth, Executive Director at Mount Grace.
Much of the local food and beer sold at Stone Cow Brewery comes directly from the Carter-Stevens Farm, whose cow grazing fields can be seen from the festival venue.
“As we celebrate 40 years of conservation, this festival is a reminder that protecting land is about more than acreage, it’s about sustaining local farms, supporting local businesses, and creating places where communities can gather and thrive,” Ellsworth said. “Events like this help people connect with the landscapes that make our region special.”
“Five generations of our family have lived and worked on this land,” said Phil Stevens, owner of the 1,000-acre Carter and Stevens Farm. “This concert is a celebration of our community’s shared connection to the land and all that it provides.”
Since its debut, Fields & Forest Forever Music Fest has become a late-summer tradition, drawing more than 1,000 attendees annually and raising critical support for local conservation efforts. Organizers anticipate another strong turnout for an evening of music under the September sky.
Tickets are available HERE.
Event Details
Name: Fields & Forest Forever Music Fest
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Festival Hours: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Stone Cow Brewery, 500 West Street, Barre, MA 01005
Parking: Free
Tickets: $25
Music Lineup
Hayden Blount
The Cropdusters
This event is generously sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.
About Mount Grace Land Trust
Mount Grace Land Trust is a non-profit, regional land trust that conserves and cares for forests, farms and waterways to promote healthy communities in climate-resilient, biodiverse landscapes. The organization serves 23 towns in central and western Massachusetts and is Land Trust Alliance certified. To find out more about Mount Grace, visit mountgrace.org.
About Stone Cow Brewery
Stone Cow Brewery is a farm brewery and restaurant located on the 1,000-acre Carter-Stevens Farm in Barre, Massachusetts. Operating out of a historic 1820s post-and-beam barn since 2016, Stone Cow Brewery has grown to become the centerpiece of the Carter-Stevens family's working dairy farm. They’re built on a deep belief that sharing farm-to-table food and drink with others is not only a sacred act but also serves the heart of any good community. Visit Stonecowbrewery.com to learn more.
**Meta:** Fields & Forest Forever Music Fest returns to Stone Cow Brewery in Barre Sept. 12 with Hayden Blount, The Cropdusters and support for Mount Grace Land Trust.
