Teenage Willie Nelson didn’t like picking cotton when he was growing up so he played in bands at local Texas dance halls instead.
This doesn’t mean that he didn’t appreciate the value of the family farm. Beyond becoming a country music icon when he grew up, he would also help create an organization that would help family farmers in hard times.
On Saturday, September 20, the fruits of his labor, Farm Aid, will put on one heck of a show for the 40th year. Let’s take a deeper look at the history of the event, who is performing, why family farms matter, and how to tune into the concert.
Bob Dylan inspired Farm Aid
In 1985, Bob Dylan performed at Live Aid. During his set, he talked about the struggles that American farmers face, such as high interest rates and unstable land prices.
Nelson was inspired by Dylan’s words and got his pals Neil Young and John Mellencamp together to put on their own benefit show: Farm Aid.
The first concert took place just six weeks after Dylan’s call to arms on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, and raised over $7 million for family farmers. Performers included the three founders, along with Dylan, B.B. King, Billy Joel, Loretta Lynn and more.
Who is performing at Farm Aid 2025?
Fast-forward to 2025 and the performer roster has some similarities to that first event.
Nelson, Young, Mellencamp, and Dylan are still dedicated to the cause. None more than Nelson, who has performed at every concert and is a driving force behind the organization.
These seasoned veterans will be joined by Dave Matthews, Tim Reynolds, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna Judd, Madeline Edwards, Trampled by Turtles, and more.
Where is Farm Aid 2025 taking place?
This year, the concert and accompanying festival are taking place at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Why do family farms matter?
Nelson and Farm Aid believe that family farms matter because they not only help feed the country but also stimulate rural economies and protect the environment.
Family farms help reduce America’s reliance on foreign imports and big corporations. Farmers tend to pass down land through generations, so they have a vested interest in using sustainable practices. Farms also help preserve the culture of rural America.
How can you catch Farm Aid 2025?
If you find yourself in Minneapolis, you can secure a ticket and rock out live. There are even yummy homegrown concessions.
Those who are unable to attend in person have options.
Cable network CNN will air a special event Farm Aid 40 tonight (Saturday, September 20) at 7 p.m. ET. It will air on the network and stream on CNN.com and CNN’s mobile apps for free. According to CNN, viewers won’t have to authenticate with a pay-TV provider to see the event.
Cord-cutters can also live stream the event at farmaid.org beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, the action can be caught on the Nugs mobile app, at nugs.net, or on the Nugs YouTube channel at 12:30 p.m. ET for free.
SiriusXM subscribers can listen in on Willie’s Roadhouse, channel 61, or Dave Matthews Band Radio, channel 30, beginning at 1 p.m. ET. This coverage will also feature behind the scene interviews hosted by Dallas Wayne and Ari Fink.