26 years of great music, supporting farmers, and strengthening America

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized 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. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised more than $39 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land.

Farm Aid accomplishes this mission by:

Promoting Food from Family Farms

We know that to keep family farmers on the land we have to increase the number of people buying their good food. From our annual concert event that features family farm food and unites farmers, artists, and concerned citizens, to our inspiring and informative tv, radio, mail and web campaigns (including our HOMEGROWN.org website), we are building a powerful movement for good food from family farms.

Growing the Good Food Movement

In order for family farmers to thrive we have to create more markets for them, giving more people the opportunity to access family farm food. Farm Aid fosters connections between farmers and eaters by growing and strengthening local and regional markets and working to get family farm food in urban neighborhoods, grocery stores, restaurants, schools and other public institutions.

Helping Farmers Thrive

For 26 years, Farm Aid has answered 1-800-FARM-AID to provide immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis. Now Farm Aid’s online Farmer Resource Network connects farmers to an extensive network of organizations across the country that help farmers find the resources they need to access new markets, transition to more sustainable and profitable farming practices, and survive natural disasters.

Taking Action to Change the System

Farm Aid works with local, regional and national organizations to promote fair farm policies and grassroots organizing campaigns designed to defend and bolster family farm-centered agriculture. We’ve worked side-by-side with farmers to protest factory farms and inform farmers and eaters about issues like genetically modified food and growth hormones. By strengthening the voices of family farmers, Farm Aid stands up for the most resourceful, heroic Americans—the family farmers who work the land. Farm Aid’s Action Center allows concerned citizens to become advocates for farm policy change.

We’re Proud to Help Farm Aid Grow Hope for America!

As a company dedicated to social responsibility, Popghum’s parent company Virginia Specialty Foods, Inc. directs Popghum to actively seek partnerships with genuine, honest and powerful philanthropic organizations.  In 2010, the directors were thrilled that Farm Aid, the most respected organization in America supporting local agriculture and family farmers, invited Popghum to be a Family of Food Sponsor at its annual concert. The 2010 show, Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America, was held October 2, 2010 at Miller Park Baseball Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Farm Aid 2011

In 2011, Popghum was invited back to the concert, this time held in Kansas City at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. The Family of Food Sponsorship is specifically devised to support backstage catering efforts. Every gift received reduces event costs, and puts more dollars to work on behalf of family farmers.