FARM AID

Farm Aid is a national, not for profit organization that works year-round to promote a vibrant, just and resilient family farm system of agriculture in America. With music as our inspiration and farmers as our heroes, we envision a transformed America in which family farmers and citizens are active partners in a thriving food system that ensures farmers a fair living, justly nourishes people and communities, protects and sustains natural resources, and secures a prosperous future for all.

Artists and Board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Our annual music festival celebrates farmers, eaters and music coming together for change. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised over $60 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture, and promote food from family farms.

Farm Aid builds and strengthens family farm food systems to ensure a future for family farmers, good food, and a better America. Through grant funding, public education, activism, direct service, strategic partnerships, and offering opportunities to engage meaningfully, Farm Aid works to:

• Amplify the voice of family farmers to bring attention to the challenges they face and the benefits they bring;
• Connect farmers to resources and opportunity, connect farmers to eaters, and in general connect people so that they may cultivate community and power;
• Celebrate family farmers, good food and the culture of agriculture, in which we all can participate;
• Empower farmers and eaters to participate in a democratic, just and sustainable farm and food system; and,
• Invest talent, time and money in efforts that effect positive change in the farm and food system.