Farm Aid

@farmaid.org

Farm Aid works year-round to build a system of agriculture that values family farmers, good food, soil and water, and strong communities. Our annual music and food festival celebrates farmers, eaters and music coming together for change. farmaid.org

Derek and Brittany Eason raise hogs for local markets at Cartwright Family Farms in Virginia. As young farmers raising a family and working off-farm (like most farmers do), they face frequent and many challenges.

Corporate consolidation that hollows out local economies, puts family farms out of business, and degrades the land and water isn't progress. At FarmSTAND, we're fighting to build a better food system that feeds people, not corporate profits.

This weekend at the Power To The People Festival, we talked about how to use your vote to help shape a better future for our farm and food system. Check out our guide to making your vote count at farmaid.org/vote

Farm Aid booth representing "Vote for Farmers" informationVote for Farmers pins

The Farm Aid 2026 Memorabilia Auction is OPEN 🎸✨ Don’t miss out on signed guitars, vinyl LPs, posters and more from our Farm Aid 2026 artists! Bidding is open through Friday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. EST at farmaid.org/auction. Photo © Sabine Carey

Sierra Ferrell signing an acoustic guitar

We had such an incredible Farm Aid! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table and helped us knock down some Big Ag clowns! 🤡 And a special thanks to our ally NSAC, who tabled with us, and to Farm Aid for organizing a wonderful few days of movement building. Can’t wait for next year!

The sky is black and the crowd is roaring as we close out Farm Aid 2026! 🔥 After unforgettable sets from Farm Aid Board Members John Mellencamp and Neil Young, Farm Aid President Willie Nelson is up next to take us home. ❤️ 📷: © Brian Bruner / Bruner Photo

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❤️Neil Young: “Farmers are the soul of America…they’re the ones on the front lines, this climate thing is huge…every farmer and everyone who eats food should vote…climate change moves so slowly that today‘s fast thinkers can’t see it…what about the seven generations that are coming?” @farmaid.org🚜

And we're off! Our livestream is now available to watch at farmaid.org and on YouTube. Who are you most excited to see today? Reminder: The live broadcast on CNN begins at 7 PM!

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Family farmers are facing increasing threats — from rising costs and climate impacts like extreme weather and sea level rise to land use pressures and policy uncertainty — that threaten their livelihoods, as well as the stability of the food system and the communities that depend on them.

What's making it harder for American family farms to survive

For generations, the family farm has been central to the American story. But these days, farmers are struggling with sharply higher costs and crushing debt on top of the same economic pressures the re...

pbs.org

Meet Farmer Hero Silvia Cruz 🌱 Silvia is not only our Farmer Hero, but also leading an agua fresca, salsa and fresh tortilla-making demonstration in the Farm Aid 2026 HOMEGROWN Skills Tent this Saturday.

Farmer Hero, Silvia Cruz on food and community – Farm Aid

Read our Q+A with Silvia Cruz owner of El Gallo Cafe and farm stand in Cheriton, VA. Silvia is not only our Farmer Hero, but also leading an agua fresca, salsa and fresh tortilla-making demonstration ...

farmaid.org

On September 22, 1985, 80,000 people gathered in Champaign, Illinois, for the first Farm Aid. The show was put together in six weeks and raised over $7 million for America's family farmers.

Crowd shot facing the stage at the first Farm Aid

Farmers and gardeners – don’t forget your seeds! Share some of your own seeds and go home with new varieties to try! If you’re bringing seeds, please keep them domestic, in a sealed envelope and labeled. Our annual seed swap will be in the HOMEGROWN Skills tent. #Road2FarmAid Photo © Lise Metzger

Bulletin board with bags of seeds pinned to it for a seed swap

Forty (!) years ago this week, our friends at @farmaid.org organized the first United Farmer & Rancher Congress, bringing together nearly 2000 delegates from across the country to solve the farm crisis, since the government wasn't interested in supporting the workaday people that feed this country.

September 19, 1987 – Farm Aid III Farm Aid III was held in Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 19, 1987. Performers included Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Steppenwolf, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, John Denver and others. The Grateful Dead performed live via satellite feed.

Willie Nelson on stage waving to audienceFarm Aid "Saving Family Farms" signNeil Young handing off guitar from the stageBackstage crew with sound boards and screen