The idea for Farmer Fest was born in Spring 2025. A handful of Washington County musicians and community organizers decided to band together to uplift local music, local food, and create a space to cultivate loving community.
Farmers are some of the most hardworking and often least celebrated people — let’s change that equation!
Farmer Fest encourages community members to know and celebrate farmers, buy local, eat fresh and support the caring stewards who nourish us from the land. When local agriculture thrives, our community grows.
THANK YOU, FARMERS! ❤️
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
Downeast Farmers and Makers (FAM) is a grassroots organization based in Machias, Maine. We provide upbeat community events highlighting live music, local food and connection to nature.
Our mission is to build well-being through wholesome gatherings. In 2025, Downeast FAM organized the first annual Farmer Fest music festival in East Machias at Swift Water Farm, to celebrate the hardworking farmers, artists and creative folks in our special Way Downeast Community. Farmer Fest 2026 gathered over 400 people on the farm for 3 days that included: 28 sets of awesome local live music, delicious food, a magical sunset Contra Dance, morning yoga classes, an active kids zone, 21 tin type photographs, believe in the future of this place rooted in a culture of kindness, belonging and positivity.
