Farm Aid 40 may have been almost a month ago, but we’re still thinking about the unique aspects that made it such a special festival. Not only did farmers, artists, advocates and music fans come together to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities farmers face, but they all celebrated together with music, activities and events.
Thank you to everyone who participated in person and virtually! Below are some of the numbers that made Farm Aid 40 so special.
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Farm Aid 40 © Scott Streble
37,000
In person festivalgoers at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis for Farm Aid 40.
© Laurie Bonneau
4 million
Viewers of the Farm Aid 40 broadcast on CNN.
© Brian Bruner / Bruner Photo
251
Virtual Farm Aid 40 watch parties.
© Scott Streble
18
Artists on the Farm Aid 40 lineup – including the late addition of Bob Dylan and the surprise appearance of Sierra Ferrell.
© Scott Streble
7
Minnesota farmers featured on the press event stage that kicked off Farm Aid 40.
© Lise Metzger
472
Volunteers from 2 countries and 28 states made the day run smoothly. They set up, chopped vegetables, helped festivalgoers make compost and put smiles on everyone’s faces!
0
Waste! Farm Aid 40 was Huntington Bank Stadium’s first-ever zero waste event. Working with Dakota Prairie Composting, we diverted organic materials from landfills, creating 13,600 pounds of usable compost! We also donated hay, corn and other products to local farmers post festival.
© Laurie Bonneau
65
HOMEGROWN Concessions® menu items served throughout the venue. This food was sourced from family farmers who use ecological production practices and were paid a fair price.
© Scott Streble
6
Regional farmers spotlighted on the FarmYard Stage (including 3 who were in a panel recorded live for our podcast Against the Grain).
© Lise Metzger
42
HOMEGROWN Village exhibitors covering topics like soil health and land access.
© Lise Metzger
5
Skills Tent demonstrations like beekeeping, fermentation, seed-saving and fabric dyeing; Plus 1 amazing seed swap.
© Laurie Bonneau
1,000s
Of flowers, corn shocks and hay bales provided by a dozen local farms to decorate the venue.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz at Farm Aid 40 © Scott Streble
30
Policymakers from Minnesota and the Midwest who spoke with and learned from farmers and strategized about how they can support family farm agriculture in their work.
© Scott Streble
23
Different merch items were sold at the festival and in our online store.
9
Pre-festival events including 415 participants in our Farmer Forum, 60 people joining local farm tours and 3 spectacular performances at our Color Me Country event that honored the legacy of BIPOC artists’ influence on roots music, culture and community.
