When I was asked to attend Farm Aid on behalf of WFAN, I admittedly did not know what I was getting into. I had heard of Farm Aid, but I didn’t really know the festival’s purpose or how impactful the pre-festival events for organizations would be. I assumed it was just a music festival. I quickly realized it is a powerful platform for agricultural advocacy. Through the Women, Food, and Agriculture Network (WFAN) and National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC), my Farm Aid dreams came true– and then some.
The Roots of Farm Aid
Farm Aid is known for its annual music, food, and farmer appreciation, but less known is the work that happens year-round. While the concerts are the most visible part of the organization, they serve as a catalyst for a much larger movement. The Farm Aid organization’s entire goal is to raise money and awareness to build an agricultural system that values the family farmer, good food, healthy soil, clean water, and resilient communities.
In 1985, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp came together to host the first Farm Aid festival. This was in response to the severe economic crisis and loss of family farms, now often referred to as the 1980s Farm Crisis. Farm Aid’s purpose was raising awareness and funds to help farmers keep their land and prosper upon it. What started as a one-day concert in Illinois has grown into a lasting national movement. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization, “whose mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America.” To this day, they have raised over $90 million dollars.
Acts cover their own travel expenses and donate their time, talent, and performances to the festival so that all funds go towards the Farm Aid organization. This model ensures that every dollar raised goes directly to the cause, rather than to production costs or artist fees. These funds are used to connect farmers to consumers in low-income neighborhoods, support the Farm Aid hotline for farmers, provide legal services, fund training sessions and education programs, engage in policy work, run campaigns against factory farms, and more. Through these diverse efforts, Farm Aid addresses both the immediate financial struggles of farmers and the long-term structural changes needed to sustain family agriculture.
Pre-festival: Arrival and Advocacy
When the plane descended into Virginia, the first thing I saw through the clouds was farmland. While it’s not uncommon to see farmland when landing, it still felt significant. It was a quiet, powerful reminder of what is at stake before the noise of the festival even began.
There were several Farm Aid pre-festival events. The first was the choice of a farm or sea tour; I chose to attend the sea tour. My biggest takeaway was that the watermen and waterwomen are experiencing the same problems facing farmers on land: farmers of all types are trapped in a cycle of financial instability, where dwindling government support, rising operational costs, and aggressive corporate consolidation have made it increasingly difficult to make a living, forcing many to sell their land or their boats and abandon the legacy their families have worked to build. Seeing the parallels between land and sea producers highlighted that this crisis is not isolated; it is a systematic issue impacting many in this country.
The next event was a story slam at a local deli. Like a poetry slam, a selected few got up on stage and read their writing. It was inspiring to hear stories from farmers and advocates from other organizations and even countries. The raw emotion and vulnerability in each story created an intimate atmosphere where we could truly connect with the human experiences behind the statistics.
The day before Farm Aid is the Farm Forum. The theme was “We the Farmers.” The forum was akin to your typical conference, where there are speakers and breakout sessions. I attended a session about SNAP benefits to learn more and find out how I can bring back resources and knowledge to help my own community that has been deeply impacted by SNAP cuts. This session was particularly eye-opening, as it connected the dots between policy decisions and the daily reality of food insecurity in neighborhoods like mine. It was so amazing to meet so many farmers, legislators, and advocates from all over the country who are so full of love and passion for what they do, specifically in the realm of agriculture and food justice. Their dedication was contagious, and it reinforced my belief that we are part of a larger, powerful movement.
The forum was followed by a night of music at a local restaurant and bar. The sentiments of the day were carried forth by the artists and the crowd in the venue. It was a beautiful transition from the serious work of advocacy to the joyous celebration of community, proving that our fight is fueled by love for the land and each other.
Photo courtesy Kellin Gässer.
The Press Event: A Surreal Moment
Before the music festival begins, there is always a private press event. I had access to this event because of my advocate badge status. Onstage before me were Nathaniel Rateliff, Margo Price, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Willie Nelson, sitting alongside farmers. It was incredible to be within 40 feet of such legendary artists, absolutely surreal. I had no idea I was going to get the opportunity to be at the press event. As someone who’s interested in marketing, what people have to say, hearing stories, and sharing them, it was impressive. I was struck by how authentic and unscripted their passion was; they weren’t just performing, they were advocating. Hearing Nelson, Young, and Mellencamp talk about the Farm Aid Festival was very awe-inspiring, since they were the ones who started it 41 years ago. Hearing them reflect on why they’ve made the journey from the first Farm Aid made me appreciate the continuity of this movement.
I was especially inspired by what Neil Young expressed. He spoke passionately about the unique position of farmers, noting that they are often the first ones to see changes in the land and weather before anyone else. He argued that the biggest obstacle isn’t just the climate itself, but that the current vision of America lacks support for them and to make positive changes for the environment. He called on everyone who eats to vote to support family farms, noting that regardless of how we label climate change, the impact is real and shared. He stressed that we must come together to address these issues on a massive scale, regardless of the terminology we use.
The farmers onstage each came to the front to share a video of them on their farm and to provide their personal testimonies and stories. Each featured farmer is based in the state hosting Farm Aid, with this year’s being Virginia. Their experiences were raw– some even shedding tears– and real, highlighting the human side of an industry often reduced to statistics. When farmers struggle, it hurts local economies, food supplies, and neighborhoods everywhere.
This is why we need to help build them up: when farmers have the resources they need, they succeed, and the whole community benefits. Farmers all over the country are experiencing the same issues: farming is no longer financially beneficial in the way it used to be and the shifting climate is changing how our crops grow. The stories I heard captured the reason I pursued this work and why I hope to stay working within the agricultural and food systems sector. Seeing these farmers stand tall to speak their truth, alongside the artists who amplify their voices, reinforced my belief that storytelling is a powerful tool for change.
Farm Aid Festival: Music, Community, and Connection
The energy at Farm Aid 2026 was joyous and electric, fueled by a diverse lineup that bridged generations. The lineup of Farm Aid 2026 was mix of classic and modern artists: Wisdom Indian Dancers, Chris Pierce, Lily Meola, Amythyst Kiah, I’m With Her, Mon Rovîa, Sierra Ferrell, Jesse Welles, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Ty Myers, Lukas Nelson, Turnpike Troubadours, Nathaniel Rateliff, Margo Price, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, John Mellencamp, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, and Willie Nelson & Family.
To the side of the stage, there was a camp made up of different organizations that were tabling. This area was called the Homegrown Village. My personal favorite table– although I am biased– was that of NFFC. I was first greeted by NFFC’s Sam in a cow costume, who invited me to “crack” open an egg featuring Farm Aid trivia questions or “dig up” a vegetable to learn more about the organization. The interactive elements made learning about NFFC and Farm Aid fun and accessible. My favorite part, however, was the interactive prize: making your own button. I liked that you could outwardly express the sentiments we are all fighting for as a reward for learning more about Farm Aid and/or NFFC. The button that I chose to make features the phrase, “You cannot grow food on Wall Street.”
It was a thrill to see performers I knew and loved, but also to discover new artists I had never heard before. The stage time flew by, and each performance felt like a shared story of resilience and hope. What you cannot truly understand or anticipate until you are there is that Farm Aid is a really long day… but the energy is so worth it to see greats like John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and especially Willie Nelson at the end. To hear Willie sing and watch him play guitar at 93 years old was an experience I will never forget.
A Full Circle Moment
Looking back at my own family farm history, I see the problems we face today: no one wants to carry it on. Farms are sold off, or land is no longer used while still being within the family until the last person holding it dies. This cycle of loss is exactly why organizations like Farm Aid are so critical: they are fighting to break this pattern and keep family farms in the hands of those who care for them.
As my plane home descended into Michigan, the first thing to peek through the clouds was farmland. This felt very full circle. I still feel the same sentiment that I had as a kid: we can’t let this land be leveled and covered in concrete. It is a reminder of what is at stake– not just for my family, but for every community that relies on its local food systems (which is every community!)
The connections created and words of inspiration are still floating around in my head. There is so much love in this work. I truly don’t think I had witnessed and received so many hugs even at a family gathering. In a world that often feels divided, this sense of belonging was a powerful reminder that we are all connected by the land we share. This really made me think, and my conclusion is that WE are all family, in this space and beyond. This is also why we have a duty to raise each other up and make positive impacts when and however we can. I am forever grateful to WFAN and NFFC for giving me the opportunity to unite with other individuals from organizations across the country for the shared mission of protecting family farms. I left Virginia not just with a new button, but with a renewed commitment to protect the soil and people who feed us all.
Photo courtesy of Kellin Gässer.