Farm Aid Music and Food Festival Heads to New York

Farm Aid Board Members pictured (L-R): Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young.

Farm Aid announced its annual all-day music and food benefit concert will return to the northeast on Saturday, Sept. 21, with performances from board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Concertgoers will have the opportunity to meet farmers, engage in hands-on food and farm activities, and taste the local and organic foods in HOMEGROWN Village. Additional multi-genre performers are forthcoming for the event, which benefits family farmers, strengthening and revitalizing America’s food system, and supporting the growth of the Good Food Movement.

“In New York and across the northeast, family farmers are pioneering change in our farm and food system,” said Farm Aid President Nelson. “This region has strong agricultural roots and offers fertile ground for new farmers and sustainable agriculture. On the Farm Aid stage in September, we’ll celebrate the hard work of family farmers and support their efforts to grow strong and healthy communities for all of us.”

Farm Aid has long collaborated with and supported organizations and organizers in the northeast, many have been served by Farm Aid’s hotline and Farmer Resource Network. Over the past 28 years, Farm Aid has made grants of more than $2.5 million in the northeast region, supporting programs that expand access to family farm food and grow new markets for farmers, create change in the food system, and help farmers thrive.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2013 are available first to Farm Aid members on June 18 at farmaid.org. General admission becomes available Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. ET.

Farm Aid welcomes sponsorship opportunities by contacting Glenda Yoder.