Guest post by Will Valverde.
This year is going to be my first time at Farm Aid, and I have to say I’m getting a little antsy. Tomorrow’s going to be a full day of music and food, with farmers and farm supporters coming together for a great event – I can’t wait.

Luckily, there’s plenty to tide us all over until the first act takes the stage. I’ve heard so much about the concert, but I didn’t realize that there’s more than just a day-long concert. This whole weekend is packed with events for farmers, farm supporters and food lovers.

Right now I’m at the HOMEGROWN Urban County Fair in St. Louis’s beautiful Tower Grove Park. Cornelia, the HOMEGROWN Shepherdess, has brought together an awesome group of local craftspeople, urban farmers, even beekeepers with homemade honey and a portable beehive.

Here at the Farm Aid “Turnip the Heat” booth, family farm supporters are stopping by to sign our petitions to save small dairy farms and stop the taxpayer giveaway to factory farms. These are people who value craftsmanship, locally-raised food, and the DIY spirit – so it’s no surprise they’re willing to stand up for family farmers. If you want to sign the petitions, just click here to support dairy farmers, and here to speak out against factory farms.

I’ve already signed the petitions, so I’m going to go check out those bees – and the honey.