When New Yorkers think of farms, it tends to be about their local farmers' market or even the idea that there is farmland upstate, on Long Island or New Jersey. Yet there is a real problem in our nations heartland and one organization that has worked to help farmers is Farm-Aid. The benefit concert is in its 23rd year and will be hosted right here in the city. Technically its on Randalls Island, but thats close enough.
From WCBS:
Farm Aid concerts have been raising money for farmers since 1985. The organization's mission includes supporting family farms, changing the system of industrial agriculture, advocating fair prices and encouraging people to buy locally grown food.
The concerts have raised a total of more than $30 million dollars. Last year's concert was in Camden, New Jersey, and the year before was in Chicago.
This year's lineup for the September 9th show at Randalls Island includes Nelson, Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews.
If you like any or all of these performers get your tickets (starting Friday for Farm-Aid members and Saturday on Ticketmaster) and help support a great cause. I haven't seen Wille Nelson before, but I love the other three dearly. The money goes to help local farmers that do not see the millions of dollars in subsidies that giant agribusinesses see every year. As long as the lobbyists for these companies have their current level of influence, we need to help out the little guy who farms for a living. And if we can do that while being at a rock concert, all the better.
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