Farm Aid is the the United States' leading family farm advocacy organization. Co-founded by Neil Young and Willie Nelson, Farm Aid (www.farmaid.org) sponsors annual fundraising concerts that attract visitors worldwide and bring much needed assistance to family farmers. The 2006 concert was held in Camden, New Jersey and headlined by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dave Matthews and John Mellencamp.
Farm Aid urges "Americans to choose food from family farms, creating growing opportunities for more family farmers."
Per a press release from the organization: "Family farmers are our best choice for good, fresh, wholesome foods," said Farm Aid Board Member Neil Young. "When you choose local, sustainable, humanely raised, or organic food from family farms, you are keeping family farmers on the land."
"Everyone, everywhere deserves access to family farm food," opined Farm Aid president Willie Nelson. "The Farm Aid concert brings us all together to support one of our most important national resources, our family farmers."
Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar said, "Farm Aid is working hard to help all people find ways to buy fresh, family farm foods and to increase opportunities for family farmers. Thankfully the Good Food Movement that Farm Aid has promoted and supported since 1985 is taking hold in grocery stores, farm-to-school programs, restaurants and at dinner tables across America."
Farm Aid supports local organizations that are working to strengthen and promote family farms and helps family farmers to "create a movement that increases the supply and demand for family farm-identified food. Farm Aid's vision is for family farmers to provide us with good products-food, fiber and alternative fuels that protect our land, our health and our environment."
Nelson, Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert. That was back in 1985. In 2001, singer Dave Matthews joined the Board of Directors. Since its beginning, Farm Aid has raised more than $29 million in aid for family farmers. Approximately 80 percent of Farm Aid's expenditures are used for effective programs for family farmers and organizations. Farm Aid works to bring to the forefront of public conversation such weighty issues as sustainable agriculture, factory farm abuses, fair farm prices, and farm disaster assistance. They also support credit counseling services for farm families.
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For more information about the 2007 concert, contact Brandi Dobbins 202.331.4323 or visit Farm Aid's website at www.farmaid.org.
