Farm Aid: Activism Takes the Stage

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This year's show in Columbus, Ohio, underwritten by Silk Soymilk, was a powerful celebration of music and activism. The day before the event, Farm Aid helped to publicize the formation of a new coalition of family farm groups, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Network. They held a press conference with the mayor of Columbus to unveil their Local Foods Pledge Campaign to encourage the use of Ohio-grown foods.

According to Mugar, this sort of initiative provides a perfect example of Farm Aid's most important intangible: hope. "The continuing commitment of artists like Willie Nelson to work tirelessly on behalf of family farmers can give folks faith that they can make it, despite the hard times."

Peaceful (but not quiet!) Protests

Some of the artists in Columbus relayed stories grounded in their own farm heritage. Sheryl Crow talked about her Midwestern roots. "Three-fourths of my town is made up of farmers," she said. "I know what it means when the prices are low...and what it means to each small family in my community. As an artist it really propels the spirit when you are involved with something that is larger than yourself."

Heidi Newfeld of One Trick Pony shared her own compelling story: "My family have been farmers and ranchers for many, many generations. And it hits home especially because we lost our ranch and our farm on the courthouse steps about 10 years ago, to corporate America. I was in Nashville working and I remember getting that phone call and it was one of the worst days of my life. So to be able to be here today with my partners and so many wonderful people for such an incredible cause means the world to us."

The concert itself provided a platform for music and free speech. Dave Matthews dedicated his song "Too Much" to corporate and industrial farmers. During his set with Crazy Horse, Neil Young wore a blazing red shirt that screamed, "Stop Factory Farms." He also implored people in the audience to buy their food from local organic growers. His closing song was the finale off his critically acclaimed new CD, Greendale, a "rock novel" that speaks out for community, civil disobedience, and standing up to a government "that's bought and paid for anyway." In the magical song "Be the Rain," Young was joined by a passionate chorus singing "Save the Planet for Another Day."

For many in the audience, John Mellencamp best captured the significance of the evening when he announced that President Bush had just gone on national television to request billions more for Iraq. He questioned if the money would be better spent in America to support many different needs, including the plight of family farmers. The bold statement inspired a cheering/booing tug-of-war in the audience.

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