“For 40 years, Farm Aid has stood with farmers, supporting them to stay on their land even when corporate power, bad policies and broken promises make it harder to keep going. Family farmers aren’t backing down, and neither are we."

— Willie Nelson, Farm Aid President

Dear John,

It’s hard to believe this year marks forty years of Farm Aid. I did not imagine in 1985 that this work would continue. As my friend John Mellencamp and I often remark, we thought we’d raise a ruckus with the first concert and folks in Washington would wake up and set things straight for family farmers. Turns out we took on a bigger task than we knew at the time.

Forty years is not just a moment to look back, but a moment to look forward. I see Farm Aid staying strong into the future, strengthening the people who grow our food and care for our soil and water — the people who are the backbone of our country. 

When we support family farmers, we all win. Please stand with me to show them you know how important they are? Your gift in any amount makes a real difference.

With your support, Farm Aid will continue to be strong for family farmers, connecting them with the resources they need to thrive, including long-term solutions that strengthen them and our farm and food system as a whole. We will provide emergency assistance when disasters strike and advocate for fair policies that promote sustainability, equity, resiliency, access and diversity across our food system.

I hope that you’ll join us in Minneapolis, on Saturday, September 20, for Farm Aid 40 or by tuning in from home. I’m grateful for your support over these years. Standing together with you for family farmers and ranchers is one of the things I’m most proud of.

Stay Strong and Positive,

Willie Nelson
President, Farm Aid