Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land.

Promoting Food from Family Farms
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Farm Aid stages America's longest running annual concert event that unites farmers, artists, consumers, and concerned citizens to build a powerful movement for good food from family farms. Throughout the year, Farm Aid promotes food from family farms through inspiring and informative television, radio, mail, and web campaigns.

Growing the Good Food Movement
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The Good Food Movement is growing the number of Americans reaching for and demanding family farm-identified, local, organic or humanely-raised food. Farm Aid grants build connections between farmers and consumers creating new markets for family farmers.

Helping Farmers Thrive
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Through 1-800-FARM-AID and www.farmaid.org, Farm Aid staff refers farmers to an extensive resource network of family farm organizations across the country. The referrals support farmers seeking to make transitions to more sustainable and profitable farming practices, and also provide immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis. Farm Aid makes grants to farm and rural service organizations to strengthen this network of resources for farmers.

Taking Action to Change the System
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Farm Aid works with and provides grants to local, regional and national organizations to promote fair farm policies and grassroots organizing campaigns to defend and bolster family farm centered agriculture. By strengthening the voices of family farmers themselves, Farm Aid stands up for the most resourceful, heroic Americans--the family farmers who work the land.