Farm Aid Turns 40

September 22, 1985 the first Farm Aid was held in Champaign, Illinois. What was supposed to be a one time event has turned 40 with the need just as relevant as it was back then.  And on September 20 the event took place for the first time in Minneapolis  at Huntington Bank Stadium  to an energized crowd of 40,000 fans gathered for the music and mission. And what a day it was. 

The morning began with a press conference attended by board members Willie Nelson, John Mellancamp, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, and Margo Price along with Farm Aid administration and local farmers telling their stories. Neil Young said over and over “We need money to give to the farmers and it should come from the big corporations and billionaires that have taken their land.” John Mellancamp went on to thank the farmers who continue to fight for their land and livelihoods. Ironically Margo Price mentioned that in 1985 her family lost their farm, the year Farm Aid was born. Over and over Willie Nelson was praised for his commitment to the cause and being instrumental in the money raised through the years. And while that is true,  we all know it takes a village. And speaking of villages, Home Grown Village lined the stadium and upper decks with information on sustainable agriculture, hands-on demos  and excellent food from local farmers. I had an amazing pork chop sandwich  but due to some long lines I didn’t have time to taste as much as I had wanted to. 

Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz both read proclamations declaring September 20 Farm Aid Day in Minnesota. 

And now for the musical portion of the day. From the first chord to the final encore of the night the lineup of unbelievable talent used their voices not only to entertain but to get their messages across. 

Performances began at about 12:45 with the Wisdom Indian Dancers, a staple in previous shows. Next up was Madeline Edwards with her performance of Amazing Grace. Eric Burton of the Black Pumas did a beautiful soulful set. Waxahatchee featuring Katie Crutchfield played some songs from their recent album. The next act which I consider one of the highlights of the day was Jesse Welles. With his shaggy 70’s style hair and his contemporary thoughtful protest songs (War Isn’t Murder)  he gave the crowd just what they needed and they responded by giving him a standing ovation. This is his second year at Farm Aid and there will be many more to come for this rising star.  

Billy Strings playing for the first time at Farm Aid  gave an electrifying performance with his traditional bluegrass and mixed with good old Americana. Dave Matthews referred to him as a” generational talent.” 

Margo Price, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar, did a beautiful rendition of Woody Guthrie’s Deportee (a timely song) and one of the highlights of her set was  a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Maggies Farm” featuring Jesse Wells and Billy Strings. 

Lukas Nelson, always a favorite, was joined by Dave Matthews and then brought out his good friend and rising star Sierra Ferrell harmonizing on “Friend in the End” and the beautiful ballad “Forget about Georgia.”  His duet with his father “Just Breath” had the audience in tears. 

Wynonna Judd, a first timer delivered a powerful and crowd-pleasing performance blending her robust solo career and classic The Judds hits, including “Why Not Me” and “No One Else on Earth”. Her vocals were powerful and her voice robust.  Her set featured a connection to the event’s theme of healing, as she noted, “music is a healer,” which resonated deeply with the audience. 

Trampled by Turtles received a warm welcome at Farm Aid 40 in their home state of Minnesota, delivering a high-energy bluegrass-rooted set that thrilled the crowd and earned them a spot among the day’s music legends. Introduced by the state’s Agriculture Commissioner, the Duluth band played hits like “Victory” and “Wait So Long,” with frontman Dave Simonett calling it a “dream” to play in their home state. 

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats delivered a powerful, horn-driven performance drawing enthusiastic applause with their R&B-influenced sound. The band’s performance highlighted their strong musical chemistry and their long-standing connection to the event, with Rateliff  wearing his red Stop Factory Farm shirt and clearly you could feel his  personal ties to rural life and farming. 

Kenny Chesney performing for the first time at Farm Aid received a warm reception delighting fans with his energetic performance and high-energy set. His performance was a highlight for many, showcasing his status as a top touring act and further solidifying his connection with the Farm Aid community. 

As day turned into night and the sunset in Minneapolis there was no stopping these musical geniuses. 

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds did an acoustic set of some of his classics as well as some new material. His set was flawless and he puts the same energy and passion in his music that he does in the cause. 

John Mellencamp energized the crowd as always with his signature rasp and powerful performance of hits like “Rain on the Scarecrow,”  and of course a little ditty about Jack and Diane. His cool demeanor and playfulness knows how to get the audience going. 

Bob Dylan did a set with his classics including “Highway 61 Revisited.” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” It was announced a few days before that he would be performing. It was poignant as he is from Duluth, Minnesota,  the original idea came from an off the cuff comment back in 1985 at Live Aid directly from him about doing something for the farmers and he played at the first Farm Aid.

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts (featuring Micah Nelson) set was noted for its politically charged new song “Big Crime”,  (check it out on Spotify)  and his classic “Rockin’ In The Free World”. His lyrics tackle corporate greed and censorship, resonating deeply with the crowd.

Of all the artists Neil had a lot to say which he did in the press conference and of course his music. We should all be grateful for Neil who holds nothing back. 

The last act to take the stage was Willie Nelson and Family. (introduced by Governor Tim Walz) As always with his two sons on both sides of him (you can always see the love they all have for each other) Willie performed with the heart and soul of a true artist. It felt like a campfire gathering of thousands – intimate, honest and unforgettable. And at 93 years young his eyes said it all, this was a cause near and dear to him. When he sang “Hard to be Humble,” it seemed like his anthem as being humble is exactly what he is. As the clock was nearing 1:30am I felt such joy and inspiration  to be part of such a historical day of music and goodness. In this climate we are living in it is truly inspirational to be around people who are not only true entertainers but some of the best humanitarians.   Everyone took to the stage and closed out the night with “Will the Circle Be Unbroken / I’ll Fly Away.” His performance was a living tribute to 40 years of Farm Aid, reminding everyone why the movement began and why it must continue.

Farm Aid is more than a concert, it is a chorus of voices standing up for farmers, freedom, and future generations. And it isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving. As long as farmers need a voice, this event will keep roaring. 

Farm Aid 40 proved that music can move more than hearts—it can move mountains. No doubt many mountains were moved that night. Here’s to 40 years of rhythm, resistance, and resilience.

Reviewed by Gayle Kirshenbaum

Photos by Terry Giardina