For 40 years, the nonprofit organization Farm Aid has worked to support the United States farming and agricultural communities. This year, the music festival was held at Huntington Bank Stadium with performances from Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, the original organizers of the event.
Despite the potential for rain, Farm Aid 40 performed to a stadium full of music lovers and farmers in celebration of the family farm system Saturday. Organized in 1985, the first Farm Aid was built around supporting farmers during the Farm Crisis of the 1980s.
“The first Farm Aid concert sparked a national conversation about the farm crisis, rallying artists, farmers and fans to support family farms in a moment of profound hardship,” said Jennifer Fahy, co-executive director and communications director of Farm Aid.
A week prior to the festival, the University of Minnesota’s Teamsters Local 320 went on strike. In a statement, Farm Aid affirmed that they stood with workers and planned to cancel or move the venue in solidarity, according to MPR.
“Our artists, production team and partners have made clear that they will not cross a picket line,” said the organization in a statement. “These decisions reflect our own values: the farm and labor movements are inseparable and we believe strongly that the University must return to the bargaining table in good faith.”
However, the Teamsters and the University were able to come to an agreement, and the show went on as planned, according to the Minnesota Daily.
“FarmAid stood alongside workers, a part of our DNA, to ensure that their dignity and respect is maintained; Something they deeply, deeply deserve,” said Shorlette Ammons, co-executive director and program director.
A morning press event hosted the organization’s Board of Artists, as well as farmers from across the state, to discuss the challenges modern farmers are facing. Challenges covered included corporate policies, commercial farming and food system insecurity, among others.
“The farm crisis never ended,” said Farm Advocate Ruth Ann Karty. “There is always someone who needs help.”
Other farmers, like Kelsey Zaavedra and Angela Dawson, voiced their feelings of isolation and loneliness in the industry. Dawson spoke about the lack of representation as a Black woman farmer.
“The reason why the Forty Acre Co-op and the (National) Black Farmers Association came together was so that we could support more black farmers, help more people get on the land and stay on the land, and connect them to the resources that they need,” Dawson said.
While this time of year is important for many farmers, many still showed up for the celebration.
“It takes commitment to be here today,” Fahy said.
The lineup included performances from Minnesota musicians like Duluth band Trampled by Turtles, as well as former University student Bob Dylan. Dylan last played on campus at Northrop Auditorium in 2008.
With opening performances from the Wisdom Indian Dancers and rising Folk artist Jesse Welles, the day saw surprise appearances from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, as well as a surprise duet performance from Lukas Nelson and Sierra Ferrell.
The evening’s final performance of Dylan was accompanied by the original three Farm Aid musicians: John Mellencamp, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, and Willie Nelson & Family, ending the concert the way it began 40 years ago.
“I’m so thankful for Willie, who works twice as hard as me or Neil or Dave,” Mellencamp said. “We owe all of this to Mr. Nelson.”
