Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews are being joined for the event by Jason Mraz, Jamey Johnson, Jakob Dylan, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Will Dailey & the Rivals, Robert Francis, Pegi Young & the Survivors, Rebecca Pidgeon, Billy Joe Shaver and John Trudell.
“Farm Aid is a movement inspired not only by the passion of Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, but also by the more than 400 artists who have donated their performances at our shows over the years,” said Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid. “This year, we are thrilled to welcome back several familiar faces to the Farm Aid stage as well as some first-timers for what is sure to be a remarkable day of music, food and inspiration.”
The all-day festival will be a celebration of music, family farmers and good food and will again feature Homegrown concessions — family farm-identified, local and organic foods. Farm Aid’s Homegrown Village will showcase hands-on activities that give concertgoers a chance to meet farmers, get their hands dirty and learn how family farmers are protecting our land and water, as well as connecting us to our roots.
Since 1985, Farm Aid has traveled the country to support organizations that work locally, regionally and nationally to strengthen family farms. Despite the recent increase in commodity prices, family farmers still face an uphill struggle. In recent years, Farm Aid has received record numbers of phone calls to its hotline and online Farmer Resource Network from farmers in need due to volatile farm prices, tight credit markets, escalating costs and weather-related disasters, such as the recent floods, droughts and tornadoes across the country. Farm Aid also works to inform consumers about the value of good food from family farms and helps make connections between eaters and family farmers to increase the demand for family farm food. Farm Aid’s annual benefit concert is its primary event to raise funds in support of the organization’s work.
Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $39 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
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