Review by Kelly Besaw
Photos by Chris Besaw
Big names in the music industry gathered at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga, NY Saturday to celebrate the 39th year of Farm Aid with a near sold-out show to benefit family farmers. What is Farm Aid? Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land. Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985. Dave Matthews joined the board in 2001. Margo Price joined the board in 2021. The Farm Aid concert is music for a mission. To learn more please visit: https://www.farmaid.org/about-us/
Although the day in many ways is about the music, I want to take a moment to focus on the heart of the cause…the family farmers. The Farm Aid press conference is always an opportunity to learn about the issues facing American family farmers. The farms featured this year were near and dear to my heart as they were New York state farms.
Farm Aid 2024 featured six New York state family farms.
- Black Wind Farm located in Berne, New York
- MK Dairy located in Owego, New York
- Chester Agricultural Center located in Chester, New York
- Onondaga Nation Farm located in Onondaga Nation, New York
- Denison Farm located in Schaghticoke, New York
- Rock Steady Farm located in Millerton, New York
Issues that were discussed include:
- How climate change is impacting farm practices
- Food sovereignty
- Food equality
- Creating a sense of community and connection to the earth and oneself through farming
- Addressing systemic discrimination for Black farmers
- Farming as a way to create a safe space for everyone.
- Visionary ideas for the future of agriculture
Check out their stories here:
was fortunate enough to spend time in the Homegrown Village talking with some of the farmers about issues, innovations, food systems and soil.
Some of my favorite takeaways from the Homegrown Village were:
- Farm Aid 2024 Seed Swap. Festival attendees were able to bring seeds from their gardens, or regions to swap for other seeds and don’t worry if you didn’t bring some, you were still able to take some home. I snagged some sunflower seeds to plant at home.
- Soil to Soul: Discover the Magic of Composting. This hands-on exhibit was designed to teach participants to turn kitchen scraps into rich compost. There was also an opportunity to make a seed ball and get up close and personal with soil microbes to see these magnificent helpers of the earth.
- Get Your Hands Dirty! This exhibit taught me a bit about soil health and how it is critical to our environment, water, and food. There were also several booths focusing on the importance of healthy soil, crop rotation, and incorporating farm animals.
I also enjoyed watching concertgoers create bunting with wool from local livestock. Some of the work was absolutely beautiful. The bunting will be strung together and will appear in the Homegrown Village at future Farm Aid festivals.
The workshops held in the Homegrown Skills tent are always a treat. This year’s skills tent featured workshops that demonstrated how to make lotions, wraps and other items using beeswax, how to grow mushrooms using a five-gallon bucket, camera-less photography, basket-weaving, and everything you need to know about honeybees.
I would be remiss not to mention the festival food. Another awesome thing about Farm Aid is that they do not sell the typical boring concert concessions. Instead, concertgoers get to experience culinary delights from Farm Aid’s Homegrown Concessions featuring family farm-identified local and organic foods that are sustainably produced by family farmers, utilizing ecological practices with a commitment to a fair price for farmers. Menu items included: vegetarian options, corn dogs, sandwiches, popcorn, maple syrup cotton candy, gourmet grilled cheese, fries, and Mexican street corn to name a few. I honestly ate my way through the day and enjoyed everything I tried. The cheesy shrimp and grits were dream worthy. Take a peek at this menu: https://www.farmaid.org/festival/homegrownconcessions/
Farm Aid also incorporates a homegrown youth market. This year’s youth market offered fresh apples, pears, peaches, cookies, and juice. There is plenty of tasty food and you don’t have to feel guilty buying it because you are supporting local and regional farmers.
The day culminated with some amazing music. All the performers play their hearts out every year for this incredible cause. They volunteer their time, talent, and transportation to make Farm Aid a reality. I am proud to participate in this event every year. My husband and I have been attending as often as possible since 2002. The message remains the same Support Your Local Family Farms!
2024 Farm Aid Lineup
Kontiwennenha:Wi
Wisdom Indian Dancers
Jesse Welles
Cassandra Lewis
Southern Avenue
Joy Oladokun
Charley Crockett
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Lukas Nelson with The Travelin’ McCoury’s
Mavis Staples
Margo Price
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
John Mellencamp
Neil Young
Willie Nelson & Family
What can you do to help?
- Shop at your local farmer’s market or Farm Stands
- Vote (also in local elections) Register here: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote#item-212645
- Join a CSA
- Grow your own garden or participate in a community garden.
- Teach your kids about family farms.
- Learn where your food is coming from. Do they use sustainable and eco-friendly practices?
- Talk to local farmers and learn about what they do and about their farming practices.
- Start a compost bin.
- Make a rain barrel.
- Buy a Farm Aid t-shirt, hat, or poster https://shop.farmaid.org/
- Contribute to Farm Aid https://www.give.farmaid.org
- Write to congress and tell them they need to support family farms not factory farms https://www.farmaid.org/take-action/
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