Bob Dylan set to perform at annual Farm Aid festival

**Bob Dylan Set to Perform at Annual Farm Aid Festival**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | September 18, 2025, 2:06 PM*

Legendary musician Bob Dylan is set to perform at this year’s annual Farm Aid festival, the organization announced recently. The event, dedicated to raising funds for farmers in need, will also feature an impressive lineup including Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews. Dylan last took the stage at Farm Aid in 2023, continuing his long-standing support of the cause.

**The Mission Behind Farm Aid**

Since its inception in 1985, Farm Aid has played a crucial role in supporting family farmers across the United States. According to its website, the organization provides “year-round work with and for family farmers.” Over the years, Farm Aid has raised more than $85 million to fund programs that assist farmers facing financial challenges.

Bob Dylan, known for his socially conscious music addressing inequality and war, has been an integral part of Farm Aid from the beginning. His commitment to social issues aligns closely with the festival’s mission to support struggling agricultural communities.

**The Origins of Farm Aid**

The festival’s origins trace back to a time when Ethiopia was suffering from severe drought. While global campaigns were mobilizing funds for relief efforts abroad, Dylan used his platform to draw attention to a domestic crisis affecting American farmers.

He once stated, “I hope that some of the money that’s raised for the people in Africa… maybe they can just take a little bit of it to pay the mortgages on some of the farms that the farmers here owe to the banks.”

That statement resonated deeply with country music star and former cotton picker Willie Nelson. A conversation between Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp soon followed, sparking the creation of Farm Aid. Since then, the festival has been held annually—apart from a few exceptions—as a rallying call to support family farmers.

**A Timely Commitment Amid Ongoing Challenges**

Today, the politics surrounding farming are more contentious than ever. Farmers continue to grapple with long-standing issues while facing new obstacles such as climate change and market instability brought on by trade wars and tariffs. Farm Aid remains a vital platform to address these challenges and rally public support.

**Farm Aid 40: Event and Coverage Details**

This year’s Farm Aid festival will take place on Saturday, September 20, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

CNN has been named the exclusive television broadcast partner for Farm Aid 40. Coverage will include live reporting from CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir, with anchoring by John Berman and Laura Coates.

Farm Aid 40 promises to be an inspiring event, blending music and activism to support America’s family farmers.
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