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Farm Aid to make its West Coast debut
Longtime Farm Aid supporters Willie Nelson , Neil Young , John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews will take the benefit concert to the West Coast for the first time in the event's 19-year history.
Organizers have set this year's show for Sept. 18 at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, WA, which is located 35 miles southeast of Seattle. Additional acts will be announced, according to organizers.
"It's a great time for Farm Aid to head to the West Coast," Farm Aid President Willie Nelson said in a statement. "Washington is home to more than 35,000 farm families working to provide us with safe and healthy food. We're proud to honor their contributions and recognize the Northwest region as a leader in building family farm food systems."
The new Farm Aid guide "10 Ways to Ensure Healthy Food for You and Your Family" will be launched at the concert. The pamphlet includes tips to help people choose healthier foods and foods produced by family farmers.
Last year's Farm Aid concert took place in Columbus, OH, and previous shows have been held in Burgettstown, PA; Noblesville, IN; and Bristow, VA, among other major farming regions.
Nelson, Mellencamp and Young staged the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land. Matthews, who has appeared on several Farm Aid bills, joined Farm Aid's board of directors in 2001.
Organizers say that Farm Aid has raised $26 million to support family farms.
