Farm Aid 2008

This weekend I was in New England to attend Farm Aid, as a representative of my company. This year Farm Aid was held in Mansfield Massachusetts, which is between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. Farm Aid is a non-profit organization founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp back in 1985. Its goal is to raise awareness about the reduction in family farms in our country and to raise money to keep farming families on their land. Farm Aid has raised over $30 million to promote the family farm system of agriculture. Family farms and organic agriculture are important to our country because the farming methods protect the soil, air, water, and biodiversity. They also produce high-quality, healthy food for everyone. Family farmers are often squeezed out by large factory farmers who frequently use harmful pesticides, growth hormones and GMOs to artificially increase crop production. Farm Aid provides grants to local family farmers to help support sustainable farming practices, and also provide support services to farm families in a crisis. It is important to the health of our country in many ways and I was happy to support Farm Aid once again.

above: Around the grounds, local farmers and organizations had booths set up for people to learn more about how their local food is grown.

above: It is nearly that time of year- when pumpkins get carved into Jack-o-Lanterns

above: this grilled corn on the cob looked so delicious.
Farm Aid Concert 2008
The Farm Aid concert ran from around 1:00 pm and ran all night. The lineup included: 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, and The Elms.

above: this was the huge banner above the stage

above: the stage was awesome with great graphics

above: Steve Earle performs on stage

above: Host Carson Daly introduces each band and performer throughout the day

above: Co-founder and legend Willie Nelson on stage to accept a donation check to Farm Aid

above; Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis wowed the crowd with several hits including "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On" and "Great Balls of Fire"

above: Chrissy Hynde and The Pretenders were amazing. I was backstage watching them perform, which was very cool. While back stage I was also with Jakob Dylan, Neil Young, Jamey Johnson, Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews.

above: Earlier I stopped for this photo with Sarah, a business colleague who agreed to be the cow in this photo! Farm Aid was a great time for a great cause. If you want to make a donation to Farm Aid click here.
Thanks for checking this out today, and remember to Buy Local produce whenever you can!
-Rick Rockhill