Farm Aid 40th Anniversary Concert in Minneapolis Unites Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp to Support Family Farmers

Published Time: 09-19-2025, 14:30 EDT

Farm Aid, the annual benefit concert founded during the 1980s farm crisis, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a star-studded event in Minneapolis. The festival, created by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp, has become a national platform for raising awareness about the struggles of family farmers while providing direct support and resources.

This year’s gathering comes at a time of mounting pressure for American agriculture, with falling crop prices, rising production costs, and ongoing trade tensions affecting farmers across the country.

A Legacy of Advocacy Through Music

Launched in 1985, Farm Aid began as a one-time fundraiser to help family farmers avoid foreclosure during a period of economic crisis. Forty years later, the mission continues, blending live music with advocacy to spotlight the challenges facing rural communities.

Willie Nelson, now 92, remains the heart of the event. Alongside him, co-founders Neil Young, 79, and John Mellencamp, 73, will share the stage. Organizers also confirmed that Minnesota native Bob Dylan will make a rare appearance, joined by artists including Dave Matthews, Margo Price, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna Judd, and Nathaniel Rateliff.

The concert will be held at the University of Minnesota’s football stadium, underscoring both the cultural and symbolic importance of farming to the Midwest.

A Critical Moment for American Farmers

This anniversary comes during a period of deep uncertainty in U.S. agriculture. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, net farm income has declined in recent years, with many farmers facing rising input costs and volatile market conditions.

The ongoing U.S.–China trade dispute has further strained producers. China has yet to purchase any of the 2025 soybean crop, instead sourcing from competitors like Brazil. For American farmers who depend on global exports, this trend poses a serious threat to profitability.

Labor Dispute Nearly Stalls Event

The 40th anniversary concert was nearly derailed by a labor dispute at the University of Minnesota. Striking service workers represented by the Teamsters union had announced picket lines that organizers vowed not to cross, citing the close ties between the farm and labor movements.

Willie Nelson personally called Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who facilitated negotiations between the university and the union. A last-minute agreement allowed the show to proceed.

“The Governor knows how important this event is to farmers and farm country,” Walz spokesperson Claire Lancaster said. “He worked with all parties involved, including Willie Nelson, to find a solution.”

Organizers issued a statement celebrating the outcome: “For four decades, Farm Aid has stood with farmers and workers. This agreement is a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together in the spirit of fairness and solidarity.”

How to Watch Farm Aid 2025

For fans unable to attend in person, multiple broadcast options are available:

• CNN will carry five hours of live coverage from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. CDT.
• Sirius XM will begin streaming performances at noon CDT.
• Farm Aid’s official website, YouTube channel, and the nugs.net platform will stream starting at 11:30 a.m. CDT.

This wide accessibility reflects Farm Aid’s ongoing mission to reach both rural and urban audiences, connecting viewers with the cause of supporting family farmers.

Farm Aid’s Broader Mission

Beyond music, Farm Aid has become a hub for agricultural assistance and advocacy. Its hotline, 1-800-FARM-AID, remains a central resource, staffed by operators with farming backgrounds who connect callers to financial, legal, and mental health support.

Jennifer Fahy, Farm Aid’s co-executive director, emphasized that the founders never expected to solve all the systemic issues plaguing agriculture. “Farm Aid was kind of the first rallying point for farmers publicly,” she recalled. “It was the first time that farmers would reach out and call a number.”

While emergency grants remain modest — averaging $500 per farmer and totaling about $50,000 last year — they provide immediate relief. In 2023, Farm Aid awarded more than $1 million in grants, largely directed to grassroots organizations such as the Missouri Rural Crisis Center and Minnesota’s Land Stewardship Program.

To date, the organization has raised over $85 million, making it one of the most enduring and effective benefit concert series in U.S. history.

Music and Farming: A Shared Connection

For many artists, Farm Aid is more than a concert — it’s personal. Nathaniel Rateliff, performing for his ninth time, reflected on his rural Missouri upbringing.

“I grew up with agriculture around me, and we didn’t have much money as a family,” he said in an interview. “We had a huge one-acre garden, and my mom canned a lot. My dad and I hunted squirrel, rabbit, and deer. That connection to the land has always stayed with me.”

Rateliff noted that while the agricultural landscape has changed, challenges remain, particularly the concentration of production among large-scale corporate farms. He believes music offers a way to bring people together despite political divisions.

“What music has the ability to do is bring people together — to create commonality in a shared human experience — so that we all can examine ourselves together and see how alike we are,” he said.

Bridging Divides, Building Solidarity

Farm Aid’s endurance over four decades reflects its ability to unite people across geographic, political, and cultural boundaries. At a time when farmers face rising uncertainty and rural communities feel increasingly marginalized, the concert continues to serve as a beacon of solidarity.

By blending world-class performances with a commitment to advocacy, Farm Aid remains both a celebration of music and a lifeline for America’s family farmers. Its 40th anniversary is not just a milestone in music history but also a testament to the enduring spirit of rural resilience.