Minnesota State Wire

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will participate as a sponsor at the 40th Annual Farm Aid Music Festival, scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025. The event, which marks four decades of Farm Aid’s support for family farmers, will take place in Minnesota this year.

At the festival, MDA staff plan to engage attendees with interactive activities designed to highlight the importance of agriculture in Minnesota and inform visitors about resources available to farm families throughout the year. The department will host a tent featuring representatives from both the Emerging Farmers Office and Minnesota Grown. These representatives aim to help visitors learn how they can support local farmers on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, MDA will organize a “Fan Mail for Farmers” activity within Farm Aid’s HOMEGROWN Village. This initiative invites festivalgoers to understand some of the daily challenges faced by farmers and encourages them to write postcards expressing thanks or encouragement to Minnesota farm families.

“Minnesota is honored to welcome Farm Aid on its milestone 40th anniversary,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Family farmers are the backbone of our state’s economy and culture, and Farm Aid shines a spotlight on the essential role they play in feeding our communities. We’re proud to showcase Minnesota agriculture on this national stage.”

Farm Aid’s objectives closely match those of the MDA, which seeks to improve quality of life across Minnesota by ensuring food supply integrity, environmental health, and economic resilience within agriculture.

The festival also provides an opportunity for outreach regarding mental health resources available to those in rural areas. Individuals facing mental health challenges are encouraged to call the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or visit minnesotafarmstress.com for continuous support.

Farm Aid was established with a mission focused on creating a strong system centered around family farms in America. Its board members—Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and Margo Price—host an annual music festival that raises funds supporting family farmers and promotes food produced by these farms. Since its founding in 1985, Farm Aid has raised over $85 million through artist performances and public contributions. These funds have been used for programs that help farmers remain viable, promote sustainable food systems, advocate for changes in industrial agriculture practices, and encourage consumption of food from family farms. Details about this year’s lineup can be found at https://www.farmaid.org/.

The collaboration between MDA and Farm Aid highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen local agriculture while providing resources for both producers and consumers throughout Minnesota.