Rocio Mateos
Willie Nelson’s annual Farm Aid event was announced one more time. The charity concert will celebrate its 32nd edition on September 16th at Burgettstown, Pennsylvania’s KeyBank Pavilion. Board members for the annual concert John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Mattews will, of course, be performing alongside Nelson and some of the biggest names in folk rock.
Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, the Avett Brothers, Blackberry Smoke, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Valerie June, and Insects vs. Robots. Will perform in the all-star epic concert.
It’s the first time Young will perform since last October at the Bridge School Benefit. Since then, he canceled an Australian tour and has remained low profile – as low profile as someone like Neil freaking Young can be. Although he has been seen in the studio with composer Chris Walden, and working on a new song with Willie’s son, Micah Nelson.
All headliners have been longtime supporters of the charity concert that attempts to promote local farmers and the Good Food Movement. The event has raised more than $50 million for that cause since its foundation in 1985 and is the longest-running concert for a cause in pop music history.
Tickets for the concert will go on sale June 23 via Ticketmaster and LiveNation.com. A limited number of pre-sale tickets will be sold beginning on June 14 via farmaid.org/concert.
Pennsylvania, an example of agriculture in the country
Ever since its foundation in 1985, Farm Aid has taken place in a different venue each year. It’s been 15 years since the concert was last held in Burgettstown, located about 25 miles from Pittsburgh. It’s also the third time the concert has come to Pennsylvania, following Hersey in 2012.
“Family farm agriculture is the heart of Pennsylvania,” said Nelson in a statement. “What’s happening in Western Pennsylvania and the region shows us that we can count on family farmers to strengthen our communities and connect people. Whether we live in rural or urban places, food – and music – bring us all together.”
Pennsylvania is home to 58,200 farms since its leading economic enterprise is agriculture. Each year, almost $75 billions are introduced to the state’s economy each year.
The state is also considered the birthplace of organic agriculture and sustainable agriculture practices. The organization Grow Pittsburgh focuses on farm training programs for young people, while it has facilitated the access to fresh, local food by launching over 60 farms.
The festival was founded by Nelson after the farm foreclosure crisis of the mid-’80s that left many who relied on agriculture for their livelihoods in financial ruin. Another economic crisis is currently affecting America’s farmers. Since 2013, they have been living a drop in net farm income. About 45 %. Also, during the past decade, Pennsylvania has lost over 2,500 farms.
Nelson’s Farm Aid will help and support all the farmers affected by this economic crisis, as it has done in the past 30 years.
Farmers and activists from all places travel each year to the event to meet other farmers and share strategies, while they listen to music and eat local food, supporting family farmers. The show also has an ecological turn, by practicing composting backstage and promoting it to the audience, leaving zero waste behind.
