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How it all started -

On July 13, 1985, during his set at the Live Aid Concert in Philadelphia, Bob Dylan made a remark about American farmers in danger of losing their businesses through mortgage debt. He believed that some of the money being raised that day should be diverted to writing off the debt owed by many farmers to US banks. It was an off-the-cuff comment, and heavily criticized at the time. But it didn't fall on deaf ears.

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Neil Young -

Dylan's suggestion inspired fellow musicians Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young to organize the Farm Aid benefit concert to raise money for and help family farmers in the United States. Neil Young is pictured at that first benefit concert, which took place at Veteran's Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on September 22, 1985.   

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Willie Nelson -

Veteran musician and activist Willie Nelson is also seen here on that day in September 1985, during his set. 

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John Mellencamp -

And here's John Mellencamp, known for his catchy brand of heartland rock,  performing his set on the night.

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Bob Dylan -

Also among the many artists appearing at the first Farm Aid gig was Bob Dylan himself, who was happy to do his bit to help the American family farming community.

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What is Farm Aid? -

In the wake of the 1985 concert, Farm Aid was created. A non-profit organization headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Farm Aid strives to "build a system of agriculture that values family farmers, good food, soil and water, and strong communities."

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Family Farm Disaster Fund -

Farm Aid created the Family Farm Disaster Fund to help farm families recover from weather-related disasters.

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Drought -

This assistance extends to hardship caused by severe drought such as the one experienced in June 2021 north of Kingman, Arizona. In fact, large portions of the West were at the time classified as being in exceptional drought.

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Threat to livestock -

By extension, drought can also decimate livestock herds, thus reducing or cutting off completely vital revenue streams.

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Wildfires -

The Family Farm Disaster Fund also offers aid to farmers whose land and property have been devastated by wildfires.

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Farm Crisis of the 1980s -

Farm Aid grew out of the so-called Farm Crisis of the 1980s, which drove hundreds of thousands of family farmers into foreclosure. Economists concluded that more than 33% of farmers were in serious trouble, and described the situation as the most serious farm crisis since the Great Depression. Pictured are demonstrating farmers brandishing signs and banners in Washington, D.C. during the Farm Crisis Meeting in 1984.

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Congressional subcommittee meetings -

The following year in May 1985, Jane Fonda was one of the celebrities who testified before a Congressional subcommittee in support of federal aid to the beleaguered American farmer.

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Sissy Spacek -

Sissy Spacek's appearance before the Congressional subcommittee took place not long after the release of 'The River' (1984), which tells the story of a struggling farm family in the Tennessee valley trying to keep its farm from going under in the face of bank foreclosures and floods. Critics praised Spacek's performance in the movie, which costars Mel Gibson.

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Jessica Lange -

Fellow Hollywood actress Jessica Lange also voiced her support on Capitol Hill. The resulting 1985 Farm Bill was the first to have a specific title devoted to conservation, for example describing the importance of soil conservation for reasons other than productivity gains.

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Farm Bill -

Each farm bill has a unique title, and the current farm bill is called the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. It was enacted into law in December 2018 and expires in 2023.

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'Homeplace Under Fire' -

In 2015, Farm Aid produced a documentary called 'Homeplace Under Fire.' Directed by Charles D. Thompson, Jr., the film chronicles the grassroots work of American farm advocates and their 30-year fight to keep family farmers on the land.

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What is a farm advocate? -

Farm Aid describes a farm advocate as someone who works with individual farmers to help them understand and navigate the complex world of farm legislation and government programs in a way that increases the likelihood of them staying on the land and being successful.

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Farm Aid 1985 -

That first concert back in 1985 was a milestone in the struggle to win farmers' rights. The gig saw performers like Tom Petty (pictured), Billy Joel, B.B. King, Loretta Lynn, the Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, Joni Mitchell, and Roy Orbison take to the stage. It raised over US$9 million for American family farmers.

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Farm Aid II -

Farm Aid founders Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp originally envisioned staging just one music concert to help raise funds for their cause. However, all quickly admitted that the challenges facing family farmers were more complex than anyone realized. The solution? Farm Aid II! On July 4—Independence Day—a second concert was held at Manor in Texas and drew an audience of more than 80,000. However, only about US$1.3 million was raised on this occasion.

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Farm Aid III -

As a result of low returns the previous year, Farm Aid III, held in Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 19, 1987, was a less ambitious affair. Emmylou Harris, Lou Reed, John Denver (pictured), and Joe Walsh were among those performing.

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5th anniversary concert -

No concert was held in 1988, and Willie Nelson took Farm Aid 1989 out on the road as a tour of 16 US cities. In 1990, however, Farm Aid IV was hosted in Indianapolis, Indiana. By now appreciated for its truly diverse lineup, the concert featured stars such as Bonnie Raitt. Pledges broke well over US$1 million, surpassing that raised at Farm Aid II and III.

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Diversity -

Farm Aid 1990, a triumph all down the line, is memorable for several electrifying moments. Elton John made a surprise appearance in tribute to young AIDS victim Ryan White, who died a few hours later at a nearby hospital. And civil rights advocate and supporter of Farm Aid, Jesse Jackson, emphasized ethnic minority and urban interests in farm issues.

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10th anniversary concert -

In 1995, Farm Aid celebrated its 10th anniversary with a concert in Louisville, Kentucky. Among those taking part was Dave Matthews, who along with the three founding members now sits on Farm Aid's board of directors.

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20th anniversary concert -

In September 2005, Farm Aid celebrated its 20th edition at Tinley Park, Illinois. Legendary country music star Emmylou Harris (pictured) was among the lineup.

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VIP guest -

Among the guests present at Farm Aid 2005 was Barack Obama, then Senator for Illinois, and good buddies with just about everyone, including Willie Nelson.

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25th anniversary concert -

Farm Aid celebrated 25 years as a successful and highly regarded non-profit organization in 2010 with another star-studded, sell-out show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Singing stars -

Singer, songwriter, and pianist Norah Jones made an appearance that day, October 2, 2010.

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Farm Aid today -

Due to the impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on the music industry, Farm Aid 2020 took place in entertainer's homes and was streamed over the internet. However, 2021 saw the concert return to the open stage. Pictured in full flight and following in dad Willie Nelson's footsteps is Lukas Nelson of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, rocking out on September 25, 2021 in Hartford, Connecticut.

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The work continues -

Since 1985 and that first concert, Farm Aid has raised more than US$60 million to support programs that help family farmers thrive and to promote family farm food, among other US agrarian initiatives. Pictured is Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp, standing together on stage during that momentous inaugural gig.

Sources: (Farm Aid) (Rolling Stone) (Farm Progress) (The Georgia Review) (Britannica) (Sustainable Agriculture) (The Concert Stage) (Los Angeles Times)

See also: Celebrities who fundraise for charity

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