Farm Aid 40: Four Decades of Music, Farmers, and the Fight for America’s Heartland
On September 20, 2025, Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, became the epicenter of a celebration that was far bigger than music. Farm Aid 40 marked four decades of advocacy, unity, and relentless support for America’s family farmers. What began in 1985 as a response to a devastating farm crisis has grown into one of the most meaningful benefit concerts in the world. Founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp, Farm Aid was created to raise awareness and financial support for family farms struggling against economic hardship, corporate agriculture, and shifting environmental realities. Forty years later, that mission remains just as urgent.
All Photos By: Aaron R. Shriver PhotographyFarm Aid isn’t simply a concert; it’s a movement. The organization raises funds to provide grants, disaster relief, legal support, and education programs for farmers across the United States. It promotes sustainable agriculture, connects farmers directly with consumers, and amplifies the voices of those who grow the nation’s food. For decades, the festival has served as both a fundraiser and a cultural gathering place where music, activism, and agriculture intersect. The 40th anniversary carried special weight. It represented four decades of standing shoulder to shoulder with family farmers, while also looking ahead to the future challenges facing rural communities. The milestone event brought together legends, rising stars, farmers, activists, and thousands of fans who understand that the food on our tables starts with the people working the land.
Click The Image Above For The Full Farm Aid 40 Photo GalleryEarlier in the day, a press conference with Farm Aid’s founders underscored just how much the organization has accomplished, and how much work remains. Farmers shared personal stories about the realities of modern agriculture, from climate pressures to financial instability and corporate consolidation. These conversations reminded everyone in attendance that the heart of Farm Aid isn’t the stage, it’s the farmers themselves. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz further emphasized the significance of the moment by officially declaring September 20th “Farm Aid Day” in the state of Minnesota, a gesture that symbolized the deep connection between agriculture and the region’s identity.
A Blessing to Begin the Day
Before the music roared to life, the Wisdom Indian Dancers opened the festival with a powerful and meaningful moment. Representing several tribal nations, the group performed a traditional blessing for the farmers and attendees gathered in the stadium. It was a fitting way to begin the day, grounded in respect for the land and the communities tied to it.
Madeline Edwards Sets the Tone
Madeline Edwards officially kicked off the musical portion of Farm Aid 40 with a stunning rendition of “Amazing Grace.” The performance immediately set an emotional tone for the day, her voice echoing across the stadium with a sense of reverence and purpose.
Click The Image Above For The Full Madeline Edwards Photo GalleryEdwards followed the powerful opening with songs like “Seat At The Table,” “Hold My Horses,” and “Without Gravity,” showcasing both her vocal strength and songwriting depth. She closed her set with “American Psycho,” leaving the early crowd energized and ready for the long day of music ahead.
Jesse Welles: A Modern Protest Voice
Next up was Jesse Welles, an artist quickly gaining recognition as a modern protest singer in the tradition of Woody Guthrie. At Farm Aid, that spirit felt perfectly at home.
Click The Image Above For The Full Jesse Welles Photo GalleryWelles delivered a thought-provoking set that tackled issues surrounding corporate agriculture and economic inequality. Songs like “Walmart,” “The Poor,” “Red,” and “Cancer” blended biting commentary with folk-driven melodies. His closing song, “Bugs,” landed like a rallying cry, reminding the audience that Farm Aid has always been about giving a voice to those often overlooked in the broader agricultural system.
Eric Burton Makes His Farm Aid Debut
Eric Burton of the Black Pumas took the stage solo for a deeply soulful performance that marked his Farm Aid debut. Without the full band behind him, Burton’s voice took center stage, filling the stadium with raw emotion.
Click The Image Above For The Full Eric Burton Photo GallerySongs like “Angels,” “Colors,” and “OCT 33” resonated deeply with the crowd. His performance felt intimate despite the massive venue, a testament to both his vocal power and the emotional honesty of his music.
Waxahatchee Brings Indie Energy
The indie-folk project Waxahatchee, led by Katie Crutchfield, brought a fresh sonic texture to the festival. Formed in 2010 and named after a creek in Alabama, Waxahatchee has built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting and atmospheric soundscapes.
Click The Image Above For The Full Waxahatchee Photo GalleryTheir set included songs like “Can’t Do Much,” “Right Back To It,” and “Fire.” Crutchfield’s understated presence and emotionally resonant vocals created a beautiful contrast to the stadium setting, proving that even quiet moments can carry tremendous impact.
Wynonna Judd Delivers Classic Power
When Wynonna Judd took the stage, the energy shifted immediately. With decades of hits behind her, Judd brought both star power and heartfelt connection to the Farm Aid audience.
Click The Image Above For The Full Wynonna Judd Photo GalleryHer setlist blended solo material with beloved The Judds classics, including “I Saw the Light,” “No One Else on Earth,” “She Is His Only Need,” and “Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain.” The crowd sang along loudly, turning the stadium into a massive choir of country music fans celebrating one of the genre’s most iconic voices.
Trampled By Turtles Bring Minnesota Pride
Minnesota’s own Trampled By Turtles received one of the day’s loudest ovations when they took the stage. Introduced by Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen, the Duluth-based bluegrass band delivered a set filled with both local pride and heartfelt advocacy.
Click The Image Above For The Full Trampled By Turtles Photo GalleryThey performed “Quitting Is Rough” in support of family farmers, alongside fan favorites like “Wait So Long,” “Victory,” and “Codeine.” Their blistering musicianship and emotional sincerity made their performance one of the most memorable moments of the afternoon.
Steve Earle’s Acoustic Interludes
Legendary songwriter Steve Earle bookended Nathaniel Rateliff’s performance with two intimate acoustic moments.
Click The Image Above For The Full Steve Earle Photo GalleryThe first mini-set featured “Guitar Town,” a song that has remained a staple of Earle’s career since the mid-1980s. Later in the evening, he returned to the stage to perform “Copperhead Road,” reminding everyone why he has been such a powerful voice in American roots music. This marked Earle’s ninth appearance at Farm Aid, dating all the way back to the inaugural concert in 1985.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats delivered a dynamic set that blended soul, rock, and heartfelt storytelling.
Click The Image Above For The Full Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Photo GalleryA longtime supporter of the cause and now a Farm Aid board member, Rateliff has been deeply involved with the organization since first performing in 2016. His commitment to sustainable agriculture and family farms extends well beyond the stage. The band’s set included “I’m On Your Side,” “Heartless,” “S.O.B.,” and “Love Don’t.” Each song built momentum, turning the stadium into a giant dance floor while still honoring the deeper message behind the festival.
Lukas Nelson & Friends
Lukas Nelson & Friends continued the momentum with a collaborative set that highlighted both musical chemistry and family legacy.
Click The Image Above For The Full Lukas Nelson Photo GalleryThe set opened with “Ain’t Done,” before Nelson welcomed Farm Aid founder Dave Matthews to the stage for a powerful duet on “The Maker,” a cover of the Daniel Lanois classic.
Click The Image Above For The Full Sierra Ferrell Photo GalleryLater, Sierra Ferrell joined Nelson for the final four songs, including “Friend In The End,” “Find Yourself,” and a heartfelt cover of Neil Young’s “Unknown Legend.”
Billy Strings Electrifies the Crowd
Few artists in modern bluegrass have reshaped the genre quite like Billy Strings, and his Farm Aid set proved exactly why.
Click The Image Above For The Full Billy Strings Photo GalleryOpening with “Dust In A Baggie,” Strings immediately had the crowd roaring. His blend of lightning-fast picking and psychedelic rock energy gave traditional bluegrass a thrilling new edge. The set included “Away From The Mire,” “Glide The Lily,” and closed with a cover of Jimmie Skinner’s “Doin’ My Time.”
Kenny Chesney Pays Tribute
Country superstar Kenny Chesney brought a wave of stadium-ready hits to the festival. He kicked things off with “Beer In Mexico,” followed by crowd favorites like “Somewhere With You,” “Living In Fast Forward,” and “American Kids.”
Photo Provided By: Team Kenny ChesneyBut the most emotional moment came after “When The Sun Goes Down.” Chesney looked skyward, pointed to the heavens, tapped his heart, and quietly said, “Love you, Brett James.” The tribute honored the legendary songwriter who had tragically died in a plane crash just one day earlier. Chesney closed his set with “Don’t Happen Twice.”
Margo Price’s Emotional Stand
Farm Aid board member Margo Price delivered one of the most heartfelt performances of the day. As the daughter of farmers who lost their land to foreclosure, Price’s connection to the cause runs deeply personal.
Click The Image Above For The Full Margo Price Photo GalleryHer set included “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down,” “Red Eye Flight,” and “Don’t Wake Me Up.” During the performance, she broke a guitar string, prompting Dave Matthews to lend her his guitar mid-set. She closed with a fiery jam of Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm,” bringing Billy Strings and Jesse Welles on stage for a powerful collaboration.
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
As longtime Farm Aid supporters and board members, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds delivered a performance that blended musical virtuosity with heartfelt advocacy.
The set opened with “Oh” and “Grey Street,” before Matthews introduced a Farm Aid debut song titled “Peace On Earth.” During “Don’t Drink the Water,” Matthews incorporated elements of “This Land Is Your Land,” tying the song’s themes directly to the festival’s mission.
Click The Image Above For The Full Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds Photo Gallery
Fiddler Jake Renick Simpson joined the duo for “Crush,” “Warehouse,” and “Ants Marching,” adding a vibrant folk flavor to the performance.
Mellencamp in the Rain
When John Mellencamp took the stage, light rain began to fall over the stadium, almost as if the sky itself was adding atmosphere to the moment. A co-founder of Farm Aid, Mellencamp has spent four decades fighting for family farmers, and his performance carried the weight of that history.
Click The Image Above For The Full John Mellencamp Photo Gallery
The set included “Lawless Times,” “Small Town,” “Paper in Fire,” “Longest Days,” and a solo acoustic rendition of “Jack & Diane.” When he performed “Rain on the Scarecrow,” the symbolism was undeniable. He closed with “Pink Houses,” a song that continues to capture the spirit of everyday American life.
Bob Dylan’s Surprise Appearance
Just one week before the show, organizers announced that Bob Dylan would join the lineup, a revelation that sent shockwaves through the music world. The Minnesota native delivered a five-song set focused on his 1960s era.
The performance included “All Along the Watchtower,” “I Can Tell,” “To Ramona,” “Highway 61 Revisited,” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” Dylan performed primarily on piano, offering a reflective and historically resonant moment for the hometown crowd.
Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts
Neil Young, another Farm Aid co-founder, took the stage with his new band The Chrome Hearts for a powerful seven-song set.
Click The Image Above For The Full Neil Young Photo GalleryYoung mixed classic songs with newer protest material, reminding everyone that his activism has never wavered. The performance included “Rockin’ in the Free World,” “Be the Rain,” “Southern Man,” and closed with the deeply emotional “Old Man.”
Willie Nelson & Family Close the Night
Before the final set, Governor Tim Walz walked on to the stage to address the crowd and celebrate the significance of the day before introducing the president of Farm Aid himself, Willie Nelson. At 92 years old, Nelson headlined Farm Aid for the 40th time.
Backed by Willie Nelson & Family, the set featured timeless classics including “Whiskey River,” “On the Road Again,” and “Georgia on My Mind.” He was joined by his sons, Lukas and Micah, for a few songs, as well as Lily Meola for “Will You Remember Me.” During “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” Waylon Payne handled vocal duties.
One of the night’s most emotional moments came during “Just Breathe.” Lukas and Willie traded vocals, their voices blending across generations. At one point, Lukas looked at his father and said, “Take it, Daddy.” Willie stepped forward and delivered the final acoustic solo, a quiet but powerful reminder of the legacy he continues to build.
Click The Image Above For The Full Willie Nelson Photo GalleryAs the clock crept toward 1 AM, the entire lineup returned to the stage for a communal finale featuring “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “I Saw the Light.” Forty years after it began, Farm Aid remains a beacon of hope, music, and activism, a place where artists, farmers, and fans come together to ensure that family farms continue to survive and thrive for generations to come.
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