Farm Aid 40 was at once a massive music festival, a grand celebration of agriculture and a stark reminder that farmers continue to struggle throughout the land — just as they did four decades ago.
At Minneapolis’ Huntington Bank Stadium on Sept. 20, no less than 18 acts performed before throngs of fans, which grew to more than 37,000 by nightfall.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” said Daniel Robbins, 57, who drove more than six hours from the Chicago suburbs. He said he was especially excited to see Dave Matthews and Willie Nelson, who he last saw in the early 1990s.
“It amazing that Willie is still doing this at his age [92],” Robbins said. “Say what you want about him, but you can’t question his dedication to farmers.”
Farmers need support
Farm Aid was founded by Nelson along with fellow musicians Neil Young and John Mellencamp. Since 1985, the annual concert and related events have raised more than $85 million to support family farmers. (The amount of money raised at this year’s show has not been announced yet). Notably, none of the artists are paid for their performances.
Over the years, Nelson, Young and Mellencamp have remained on the board overseeing the Farm Aid organization. Matthews and musician Margo Price later joined the board in 2001 and 2021, respectively.
In written remarks to Farm Progress before the show, Price said words can’t do justice to convey how she feels about the significance of Farm Aid’s 40th anniversary.
“This organization has been ahead of its time since the beginning, and I think we need it today now more than ever,” she said.
Helping struggling farmers is personal for Price. She was 2 years old when her parents lost their Illinois farm, a story she recounts in her 2016 song “Hands of Time.” That just happened to be the same year of the first Farm Aid.
“To be able to help give back to the farmers who feed us truly fills my soul,” Price said. “I love being able to give back to the community and be of service as a cultural worker. Food justice is social justice, and we have a responsibility to care for the stewards of the land just as they have cared for us."
Politicians make presence known
Throughout the show, politicians visited the stage. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declared Sept. 20, 2025, to be Farm Aid Day in the city. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig went on stage to introduce singer Winona Judd.
“Through her music, she celebrates the strength and resilience of working families, the same families that I am so proud to represent,” Craig said.
Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar mingled briefly in the crowd before leaving to introduce Price.
“Margo’s newest album is ‘Hard Headed Woman.’ Being in Washington right now, you’ve got to be a hard-headed woman,” Klobuchar quipped on stage.
Not to be outdone, Minnesota governor and former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz introduced Nelson, calling him a man who “truly embodies the American spirit.”
About the music
While the intent of Farm Aid is to help famers through support and advocacy, most of the crowd was focused squarely on the music. Eighteen acts performing over the course of roughly 12 hours meant set lists were tight, highlighting performers’ most well-known songs.
The early afternoon featured performances by a number of artists unfamiliar to many in the audience. Madeline Edwards, Jesse Welles, Eric Burton from the Austin band Black Pumas, Waxahatchee and Trampled by Turtles are all critical darlings who wouldn’t normally play stadium-sized venues. Each of their sets suggested maybe they should, particularly Burton and Waxahatchee. (If they are playing near you, just go.)
As the crowd continued to grow later in the afternoon, more familiar names like Judd, Steve Earle, Kenny Chesney, Billy Strings and Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson’s son, took the stage. Lukas Nelson’s set included surprise guest and recent Grammy winner Sierra Ferrell joining in on a few songs.
Colorado’s Nathanial Rateliff & the Night Sweats brought the crowd to its feet with its high-energy performance. Sporting suspenders and a bright-red shirt emblazoned with “stop factory farms,” singer Rateliff bounded from one side of the stage to the other, seemingly determined to either break his tambourine or his hand when he was not behind the mic.
“I’m happy to be here supporting family famers. They need help standing up to the big corporations,” he told Farm Progress shortly after his performance.
Price took the stage as the sun began to set, followed by Matthews and longtime collaborator Tim Reynolds. Their set concluded with most of the stadium singing along in unison to “Ants Marching.”
The sing-along continued when Mellencamp dusted off 1980s radio staples “Small Town,” “Jack and Diane” and “Pink Houses.”
Following Mellencamp was perhaps the most anticipated performance of the day. Minnesota native Bob Dylan, who performed at the first Farm Aid, was a last-minute addition. As the lights dimmed, Dylan, wearing a hoodie, kicked off a quick five-song set with “All Along the Watchtower.” After ending with “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” the hometown hero was gone almost as soon as he got there.
Neil Young then took the stage with one of the most political sets of the night. Flanked by his new band The Chrome Heart, he kicked off with “Big Crime,” his song that takes aim at Donald Trump. Young followed up with some of his most famous material, including “Rockin’ the Free World,” “Southern Man” and “Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)” before closing out with “Old Man.”
As always, Willie Nelson was the Farm Aid grand finale. Flanked on stage by two of his sons and a band, he took the crowd on a journey through his storied career. From country classics “Whiskey River” and “On the Road Again” to a cover of Pearl Jam’s “Just Breath,” Nelson again showed his uncanny ability to seemingly take any song and make it his own. He may not have the energy he did in his younger days, but the audience loved him just the same.
The show ended with all the artists, sans Dylan, coming back on stage for three more songs, culminating with Hank William’s “I Saw the Light.” All was right inside the stadium. For just a moment, nobody was worried about all that was wrong outside it.