Season Two

Welcome to “Artists and Activism,” a series of Against the Grain: The Farm Aid Podcast. Our present political moment is the perfect time for us to bring you this special series where, over seven episodes, we’ll talk to more than two dozen artists who are using their art and their voices as vehicles for political engagement and expression on issues that matter to them – and to all of us.

Listen to episodes and see bonus material from season one below or click here to learn more about Against the Grain.

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 07.30.26

Solidarity Starts at Home: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 05.07.26

Chillicothe 40 Years Later Part Two

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 05.07.26

Chillicothe 40 Years Later Part One

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 09.10.25

Episode 7: Sustaining Community in the Face of Climate Disasters

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 09.03.25

Episode 6: When the Personal is Political

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 08.27.25

Episode 5: Artists on a Burning Planet

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 08.20.25

Episode 4: Haters Gonna Hate

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 08.13.25

Episode 3: Artist Ag-tivists

Season Two: Artists and Activism | 08.06.25

Episode 2: Activist Storytelling

Michael Stewart Foley

Michael Stewart Foley is Farm Aid’s Cultural Impact Director, responsible for advancing Farm Aid’s mission by analyzing, communicating and deepening the cultural impact of the organization’s – and the greater farm movement’s – work. A native New Englander, Michael grew up obsessed with politics and popular music. Later, as an historian, writer, and organizer, he produced eight books on a range of social movements and on the intersection of politics and popular music; he also served as an advisor on a number of exhibition, film and television projects, including Mad Men. In addition to advising and co-writing The Boys Who Said No! Draft Resistance and the Vietnam War, he served as the film’s narrator. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Boston Sunday Globe, The Daily Beast and other news and public affairs outlets. (Photo © Suzanne Porter)

Jessica Ilyse Kurn

Jessica Ilyse Kurn is Farm Aid’s Online Communications and Marketing Manager. She’s been on staff since 2013 working on the newsletter, web and social media platforms to amplify Farm Aid’s work and expand its online engagement. She studied agriculture, food and environmental policy at Tufts University, and was a Reporter & Producer for PRI’s Living on Earth and a Producer at NPR’s On Point before coming to Farm Aid. Jessica has experience creating other podcasts such as the Tufts Nutrition Internet Radio Program and was a creator and contributor to the hyper-local podcast Hey, Shaker! Her written work has appeared on NPR, Architectural Digest, Time Out NYC and more. Jessica lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her family and loves to drink coffee, garden, cook and host themed dinner parties.

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The Farm Aid Festival

Farm Aid’s annual festival is a celebration of music and family farmers featuring a unique lineup of artists, along with family farm-identified, local and organic foods as part of our HOMEGROWN Concessions®.

Learn about this year's festival