Farm Aid 2019 will air live on AXS TV and SiriusXM on Saturday, September 21, when the annual music and food festival returns to the heart of dairy country, at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin. The all-star event, announced on July 9, will include performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds. They’ll be joined by Bonnie Raitt and many others.
Tickets have sold out for the third year in a row.
Also performing are Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Margo Price, Jamey Johnson, Tanya Tucker, Brothers Osborne, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Yola, Particle Kid, and Ian Mellencamp.
AXS TV will broadcast from Farm Aid 2019 from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET.
SiriusXM subscribers will be able to listen live via Willie’s Roadhouse (channel 59), beginning at 1 p.m. ET. FarmAid.org will also webcast the event, starting at 3 p.m. ET.
Watch Neil Young + Promise of the Real perform “Heart of Gold” at Farm Aid 2018
From the July 9 announcement: The organization stages Farm Aid 2019 in an economic climate similar to the one that sparked the first Farm Aid concert in 1985. Median farm income is expected to be -$1,449 in 2019, and while net farm income in 2019 is projected to be 8% higher than prior year levels, it will remain among the bottom 25% of all time. Farmer stress also is growing, with the risk of depression and suicide among people working in agriculture increasing as compared to the general population.
“With devastating weather, low prices and harmful farm and trade policies, America’s family farmers are facing immense challenges to hold on to their farms. It’s not right … family farmers are essential for all of us,” Farm Aid President and Founder Willie Nelson said. “By bringing our festival to the heart of the struggle, we will stand side by side with farmers. At Farm Aid 2019, we’ll highlight solutions and show our support for family farmers’ contributions to our health, economy and environment.”
Watch Willie Nelson & Family perform a favorite at Farm Aid 2018
Wisconsin, often referred to as “America’s Dairyland,” is one of the nation’s leading dairy producers, particularly known for its cheese. The Wisconsin dairy industry generates $43.4 billion each year, fueling the state’s economy at a rate of more than $80,000 per minute. While the dairy industry benefits the economy and culture of Wisconsin, dairy farmers are struggling, with the state losing nearly 700 dairy farms in 2018 alone.
Overall, Wisconsin agriculture is extremely diverse with livestock, row crop and vegetable production also popular in the state. Wisconsin is second behind California for number of organic farms and has a strong direct market movement. Farm to School and urban agriculture programs support a strong connection among urban cities and rural communities.
Farm Aid 2019 will serve HOMEGROWN Concessions®, which will showcase family farm-sourced ingredients at all the festival’s food stands.
For more than 30 years, Farm Aid – with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year – has raised $57 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.
Watch Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers perform at the first Farm Aid in 1985
Related: Our feature on the very first Farm Aid
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