Saturday, September 19th Farm Aid celebrated its 30th anniversary at Northerly Island in Chicago with an urgency and passion to spread the word, take action and broaden the awareness of the severe issues around farming in American. A perfect sunny day for an outdoor festival, the event started off with a press conference, speakers and opening ceremoies led by celebrity advocates Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews front and center. 

In addition to the aformentioned artists, the event's line up inlcuded Imagine Dragons, Jack Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jamey Johnson, Mavis Staples, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Holly Wiliams, Insects vs Robots, Ian Mellencamp and Blackwood Quartet.

To reflect, 30 years ago this event advcated support for family farming through awareness and financial contributions supporting the family farms from banks and stradling dept by way of unmanageble loans. Now 30 years later, we see the results of the 80's foreclosures as witnessnessed with the immergnces of factory farming, pattening seeds, GMOs and corporate control of the food supply. 

Beyong the stage and past the lawn section was the Homegrown Village featuring grassroots concessions, panel discussion. how-to workshops and information booths. 

Farm Aid once again demonstrates how the power of music delivers the message.