Willie Nelson's annual benefit concert for farmworkers, Farm Aid, will mark its 35th anniversary on September 26 with a virtual festival. The celebration, dubbed Farm Aid 2020 on the Road, will feature performances from more than 20 artists directed by Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews.
The festival will also feature Black Pumas, Bonnie Raitt and Boz Scaggs, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Edie Brickell with Charlie Sexton, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Jon Batiste, Kelsey Waldon, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Particle Kid, The Record Company, Valerie June and The War And Treaty. Other artists are expected to be added to the lineup.
"This pandemic and so many other challenges have revealed how essential family farmers and ranchers are to the future of our planet," Nelson says in a statement. "Farm Aid 2020 is going to give the whole country a chance to learn about the important work of farmers and how they’re contributing to our well-being, beyond bringing us good food."
In addition to the performances, the virtual festival will also showcase stories from farmers from across the country who were invited to share why they farm, how they manage to stay resilient, and their vision of the future of agriculture.
"Since we started in 1985, Farm Aid has kept its finger on the pulse of farm country and deployed funds and resources to help farm families confront the challenges they face," Executive Director Carolyn Mugar says. "It’s clear that this is a critical moment for farmers and ranchers. We risk losing their important contributions to our communities and our families if we do not adequately respond as a country."
Farm Aid 2020 will stream for free live on Saturday, September 26 from 8PM to 11PM ET on the Farm Aid YouTube channel. For event updates, follow Farm Aid on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit their website here.
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