Performing at the Farm Aid festival this weekend: Bob Dylan
This Saturday, Farm Aid 40 is set to take place at the Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The annual festival, a primary source of funding for year-round work with and for family farmers, promises an unforgettable lineup of music and advocacy.
The festival's origins date back to 1985, when crop prices were crashing, leading to bank foreclosures, farmer suicides, and the loss of family farms. A quip made by Bob Dylan at a Live Aid benefit concert inspired Willie Nelson to create Farm Aid, a movement that has since raised over $85 million to support programs helping farmers in need.
Bob Dylan, a long-time supporter of Farm Aid, will once again grace the stage this Saturday. Known for his songs about social issues like inequality and war, Dylan has always been part of the festival's DNA. He last performed at Farm Aid in 2023 and expressed a desire for a portion of the funds raised to be used to help farmers struggling with mortgage payments.
Joining Dylan this year are a host of other stars, including Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Margo Price, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lukas Nelson, Trampled by Turtles, Wynonna Judd, Steve Earle, Waxahatchee, Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Jesse Welles, Madeline Edwards, Wisdom Indian Dancers, and more.
CNN has been announced as the exclusive television broadcast partner for Farm Aid 40. John Berman and Laura Coates will co-anchor the coverage, with CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir providing on-the-ground reporting.
The politics surrounding farming have become increasingly contentious, with age-old problems persisting and new ones emerging, such as extreme weather due to climate change and volatile markets subject to trade wars and tariffs. However, events like Farm Aid serve as a reminder of the collective power of music and advocacy to make a difference.
In a world where the future of farming is uncertain, Farm Aid 40 stands as a beacon of hope, bringing together artists, farmers, and advocates to support those who feed us all. So, mark your calendars for this Saturday, September 20, and join the celebration of music and activism at Farm Aid 40.
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