What's wrong with our farm system? It's unsustainable, unsupportive to family farmers, and unhealthy to us all. But for over 20 years, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young (and since 2001, Dave Matthews) have been striving to change that. As the face of Farm Aid, these musicians have seen their positive impact in the success of family farms, in the spread of the Good Food Movement, and through the development of grants that help farmers in need.
The concert
The Farm Aid concert, held next Saturday (9/20) in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is sold out this year. But you can still join the FarmYard fan club. If you join you get:
- A Farmers Kick A$$ totebag
- A chance to get special tickets to the FarmAid Concert
- Year-round access to the members-only site with exclusive photos and video, including the 2008 concert webcast
- 10% discount in the online store
- Quarterly drawings for free autographed items like t-shirts and program books
One of the groups Farm Aid funds is FoodRoutes, a non-profit that provides support to organizations that aim to rebuild local, community-based food systems. One of their efforts is Buy Fresh, Buy Local, which introduces consumers to local produce and the farmers who provide it.
Meet the farmers who've benefited from Farm Aid.
Watch this important message from Neil Young
