Born during the agricultural recession of the mid-1980s, Farm Aid said its annual concert and food festival will be Sept. 17 in Bristow, Va, on the western fringe of the Washington, DC, area. The organization says it has raised $50 million from the concerts since 1985 to help further its goal of “a vibrant family farm-centered system of agriculture in America.”
“Folks are educating themselves about where and how food is grown—they’re hungry for the truth,” said musician Willie Nelson, Farm Aid president, in a statement. “Family farmers bring us good food, protect our soil and water, and strengthen our country.”
Organizers said the day-long concert would include “hands-on activities about soil, water, food and farming” and the food stands would sell “family farm-identified, local and organic food.” A nonprofit organization, Farm Aid says it promotes fair farm policies. “We’ve worked side by side with farmers to protest factory farms and inform farmers and eaters about issues like genetically modified food and growth hormones.”