In 1985, when Willie joined forces with Neil Young and John Mellencamp to do something about the Farm Crisis, none of them expected that the same challenges family farmers faced back then would remain a year later, let alone forty. As they have put it, they figured the folks in Washington would see what was happening to family farmers across the country and start to work together to fix a broken agricultural system.
Instead, it was Farm Aid and the people-powered movement we’re a part of that stood up for family farmers, and has continued to stand strong for four decades now. Willie, Neil and John have now been joined by Dave Matthews and Margo Price on Farm Aid’s Board of Directors. And more than 500 musical artists over the years have donated their performance at our annual festival to celebrate family farmers and raise awareness of the challenges they face growing the food and fiber we all depend on.
Farm Aid is much more than a festival; Farm Aid supports family farmers day in and day out, providing emergency relief when disasters strike, connecting farmers to the resources they need to thrive, fighting for fair farm policies and strengthening their support through the millions of eaters we reach.
Forty years is not just a moment to look back, but an opportunity to look forward. Farm Aid has always been there for family farmers and it’s up to us to be there for Farm Aid for the next forty years and beyond! Can we count on you to stand with us, Willie, our family farmers and a future of good food? It takes all of us, working together, to power this movement that strengthens our farm and food system. Your generous support makes a real difference.
