Farm Aid, a music festival raising awareness and funds for farmers performs at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
About
Farm Aid is a music and food festival featuring big-name performers, aiming to raise awareness and funds for the backbone of the nation: farmers. Star artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Margo Price, Kenny Chesney, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, and Lukas Nelson, all performed at Huntington Bank Stadium.
The Beginning
Farm Aid was founded during the farm crisis of the 1980s. This was a period of significant financial hardship, particularly for farmers. Increasing expenses and falling crop prices lead to many farms shutting down. Bob Dylan sparked the idea for Farm Aid as he thought a portion of the money raised from his concerts should be used to help farmers. Inspired by Bob Dylan’s ideas, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp hosted the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise money for farmers and their families.
Purpose
Farm Aid aims to raise funds for farmers and their families. Farm Aid also advocates for policies that support America’s farmers. This event also brings together people from all around the country and creates a greater sense of community and family within our towns. Important issues are brought to the surface, including climate change, corporate influence in agriculture, and food access.
Concert in Minnesota
On September 20th, Huntington Bank Stadium was a magnet, attracting thousands of people from all over the country. Nearly 50,000 attendees were at the festival. The music festival made the streets of Minneapolis busy with people. The popularity of the festival helped support farmers all over the country, including 60,000 in Minnesota.
Recent Struggles
Farmers across the country have faced recent struggles due to the impacts of climate change. Unpredictable weather patterns, high temperatures, and soil erosion all contribute to these challenges. Access to affordable land and increasing equipment costs also contribute to the recent struggles farmers face.
How You Can Help
You can help farmers out during these tough times by buying from local farms. Purchasing from farmers’ markets, stands, and supporting restaurants that source from local farmers are just a few ways we can make a difference in farmers’ lives.
