This effort to call attention to the plight of the family farms is particularly meaningful this year to those of us who live in agricultural areas.
We are hearing that farmers could be facing a $600 to $800 loss per acre of potatoes, due to energy costs.
Bad year all around as that impacts all the related businesses.
The farmers will take the hit - - the consumers will take the hit - - the middlemen will still be smiling.
Farm aid is not just about great music. .......................... (steps off soapbox)
FARM AID 2008 , SATURDAY - SEPT 20, COMCAST CENTER, MANSFIELD, MA
According to the site - - the doors open at Noon with music expected to run until 11 PM - - - list of artists is below
Those of you with Direct TV will be able to " be there " for part of this great concert for a great cause.
And it appears the rest of us may be able to watch the evening line up online as well
Site is here - the info I posted is under the tree logo
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 $30 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.
There is a wealth of information on the Farm Aid website
Artist list for 2008 - - didn't find any order of appearance but from seeing prior concerts on TV a reasonable guess might be bottom to top
Willie Nelson
John Mellencamp
Neil Young
Dave Matthews
Kenny Chesney
The Pretenders
moe.
Arlo Guthrie
Jerry Lee Lewis
Steve Earle
Nation Beat
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Jakob Dylan and The Gold Mountain Rebels
Danielle Evin
Jamey Johnson
Jesse Lenat
Will Dailey
One Flew South
The Elms
Good article about the project - for full read click on the name
Boston Phoenix Article
What many may not realize is that Farm Aid is a year-round organization that has adapted and grown with the changes in the lives of American farmers. Fahy goes on: “Back when it was started, it was the era of benefit concerts, and the message was easy: ‘These people need our support.’ In the ensuing years, we’ve had to increase the depth and breadth of our project and change what we do to stay in line with the changing opportunities out there for farmers. This has meant embracing direct marketing, farmers’ markets, supporting the transition to organic or sustainable growing methods, etc.”
