Dear John,

2020 was a very difficult year for many people, including family farmers. We hope that you have a good new start! We'll be here continuing our mission to keep family farmers on the land, growing the good food we all need, protecting our soil and water, and strengthening our communities.

While the divisive political climate invites us to examine the polarization of our country and the urban/rural divide, the truth is, farmers — and in fact most Americans — share a common understanding that our food system is not working for most of us. A healthy farm and food system that benefits farmers and eaters can bring us together. Farm Aid calls on the Biden-Harris administration to lead with a new vision for agriculture; one that values the contribution of family farmers and a resilient family farm system to healthy communities and people. That vision includes:

• Placing independent farmers and rural Americans at the US Department of Agriculture;
• Putting our farm and food system back in the hands of the people;
• Ending systemic racism in agriculture and creating opportunity for all;
• Combating climate change;
• Revitalizing infrastructure and strengthening rural communities; and
• Creating accessible and affordable health care.

Do you ever wonder what the Farm Aid staff listen to while working? You're in luck. Check out our 2021 staff playlist, which includes:

Carolyn: The Neville Brothers - Amazing Grace and One Love (Farm Aid 1994)

Caroline Campbell McCormick: Alabama Shakes – Don’t Wanna Fight (Farm Aid 2016)

Caroline Fiore: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Straight Into Darkness (Farm Aid 1985)

Claire: Jon Batiste - I'll Fly Away (Farm Aid 2020)

Glenda: Gary Clark Jr. - Bright Lights (Farm Aid 2014)

Jen: Yola - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Farm Aid 2019)

Jessica: Brandi Carlile - The Mother (Farm Aid 2020)

Lauren: Black Pumas and Jack Johnson - Colors (Farm Aid 2020)

Maddie: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds - So Damn Lucky (Farm Aid 2019)

Matt: Beck - Ramshackle (Farm Aid 1997)

Sophie: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Forget About Georgia (Farm Aid 2019)

Steve: Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color (Farm Aid 2016)

Timber, Staff dog: Neil Young - Old King (Farm Aid 2004)

We've also added a couple favorites from our board artists that we all agreed on!