Farm Aid

Farm Aid is a national nonprofit with its office in Cambridge that works to build a family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. It promotes food from family farms, supports the good food movement, and pushes for fair farm policy through grassroots organizing. Best known for its annual music and food festival, Farm Aid connects farmers, eaters and musicians around the goal of keeping farm families on their land.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms. Dave Matthews joined the board in 2001, Margo Price in 2021 and Nathaniel Rateliff in 2026. Year-round, the organization runs a hotline and resource network that connects struggling farmers with help, and it publishes news on issues such as the Farm Bill and stories of farmers in their communities.

What to Know

• Farm Aid has raised more than $90 million for family farm agriculture.
• The East Cambridge directory lists Farm Aid as a woman-owned or women-led organization.
• The 2026 festival was held in Virginia Beach.
• Donations from individuals support the organization’s work.