BOSTON, MASS. (RFD NEWS) — Farmers and supporters gathered in Virginia Beach for this year’s Farm Aid concert, bringing together music, agriculture, and advocacy in support of family farmers.
Farm Aid Co-Executive Director Jen Fahy, who has been with the organization for about 24 years, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss how the annual event has become a day to recognize farmers’ work and bring greater attention to the challenges they face.
In her conversation with RFD News, Fahy said that although she did not grow up on a farm, working on a farm in western Massachusetts early in her career gave her a firsthand understanding of the agricultural community.
“I found my farm to go to in the Berkshires and the western part of Massachusetts where we have an incredible agricultural community, and it really cemented my commitment to do this work,” Fahy said.
Spotlighting the Hard Work of Family Farms
Farm Aid was founded in 1985 by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp to recognize farmers’ work and bring greater attention to the challenges they face.
“We eat at least three times a day, and how often do we actually give appreciation and thought to how that food was grown and who grew it?” Fahy said.
She said Farm Aid gives farmers an opportunity to be “the rock stars on center stage” while helping more people understand the challenges facing agriculture.
Farmers’ Challenges Continue to Pile Up
Fahy says family farmers are dealing with multiple pressures, including input costs, commodity prices, tariffs, markets, and extreme weather.
She also pointed to land-use and development pressures, particularly around data centers and related infrastructure.
During this year’s Farm Aid event in Virginia, a farmer discussed pressure on his century farm from a proposed transmission line connected to a data center.
Fahy said organizations from across the country are seeing similar issues in their communities.
“It’s just always an uphill challenge for farmers,” Fahy said.
Extreme weather is another concern. Fahy said some farmers who attended Farm Aid from New England returned home to damaged crops following a recent nor’easter.
Supporting Farmers in Crisis
Farm Aid has also developed programs to provide direct support to farmers.
Fahy said the organization originally established a hotline during the farm crisis of the 1980s, when farmers needed somewhere to turn for help.
The hotline continues to be answered by Farm Aid staff.
The organization also works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on training for people who work with farmers experiencing financial distress, along with policy work and public education.
Bringing Agriculture and Music Together
The Farm Aid concert brings together farmers, supporters and major musicians, including Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Sierra Ferrell.
Fahy said the artists who perform at Farm Aid pay their own way to participate.
She said the collaboration helps bring greater attention to farmers and the role they play in communities.
“The message that you hope people walk away with after taking in Farm Aid is that we all have a stake in the survival and thrival of farms and our communities,” Fahy said. “We are interdependent.”
