September 18, 2004 Seattle, Washington
The White River Amphitheater on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation south of Seattle hosted Farm Aid 2004 Presented by Silk Soymilk. Even though theconcert was held in one of the farthest corners of the United States, people pilgrimaged to the show from at least 33 states and Canada. Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews invited Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Jerry Lee Lewis, Trick Pony, bluesman Tony Coleman, Blue Merle, Canadian twins Tegan and Sara, Kate Voegle and Kitty Jerry to play on the Farm Aid stage. Farm Aid hosted activities in Seattle's Pike Place Market for 10 days leading up to the concert to celebrate family farm produced food. The main focus was on Farm Aid's Ten Ways Campaign, a public information effort aimed at helping people understand the important link between family farmers and fresh, high quality food.
September 18, 2005 Tinley Park, Illinois
Farm Aid returned to Tinley Park, Illinois for the third time on September 18. A press event launched the day, before 28,000 fans filled the amphitheatre. At the press event Farm Aid recounted 20 years of solid work and announced the release of Farm Aid: A Song for America. The book chronicles 20 years of the Farm Aid music that galvanized the grassroots movement for family farms and good food. Farmers and advocates also tallied Farm Aid's accomplishments, from direct aid to farmers in trouble, to fighting factory farms to building up the good food movement. Concert-goers brought donations of food for Katrina victims. The music on the Farm Aid stage rolled and rocked all day and a happy crowd broke all records purchasing Farm Aid merchandise. The concert concluded a full week of activities from Champaign to Chicago, with farm visits, music and chefs at Chicago's farmers markets, films at the Cultural Center, a tractor parade leading to the County Fair at the Garfield Conservatory, and over 20 restaurants offering their guests a "family farm" menu item.
September 30, 2006 Camden, New Jersey
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Artists performing at Farm Aid 2006 Presented by Silk Soymilk urged the sold-out crowd to buy family farm foods and to support Farm Aid. Farm Aid leads a growing movement that is helping more people gain access to good food. Farm Aid kicked off its annual benefit concert with a press event that featured pioneers in the good food movement. Young farmers and food activists, and a school lunch lady taking on public school food policy, shared a new agriculture vision focused on family farms and sustainable practices being led by today's young people. Farm Aid launched its 2006 concert celebration with events across greater Philadelphia and Camden, NJ that focused on family farm foods. Activities introduced area residents to their local farmers; taught students about the importance of fresh, family farm foods; and gleaned farm vegetables for those in need locally.
September 9, 2007 New York City, New York
Farm Aid 2007: A HOMEGROWN Festival was held at Randall's Island in New York City on September 9, 2007. A crowd of more than 26,000 enjoyed performances by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds. Other artists included Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, Matisyahu, Counting Crows, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Billy Joe Shaver, Montgomery Gentry, Supersuckers, Pauline Reese, Danielle Evin, The Ditty Bops, Jimmy Sturr, Paula Nelson, 40 Points, and Jesse Lenat. This concert was the first major music event to serve local, organic and family-farm foods at our concessions and backstage. The concessions ingredients were local, organic and/or sourced from family farms. Concert-goers also enjoyed Farm Aid's first HOMEGROWN Village, which offered hands-on interactive experiences with family farmers and sustainable family-farm practices.
September 20, 2008 Mansfield, Massachusetts
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Farm Aid 2008 Presented by Whole Foods Market and Horizon Organic was held at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts on September 20, 2008. Nearly 20,000 fans in the crowd enjoyed performances by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds. Other artists that played included 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. Once again, local, organic and/or sourced from family farm food was served all around the Comcast Center. The HOMEGROWN Village featured many hands-on interactive demonstrations highlighting the best of family farmers and sustainable family-farm practices.
