I heard about this on the radio today and had to check it out immediately. Since I was born in St. Louis, live not far from the awesome (if I do say so myself) city, and also love Farm Aid, I am super excited that the cause is coming to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Maryland Heights on October 4 this year.

If you know about Farm Aid, you probably know that it was started in 1985 by musicians John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Willie Nelson (Dave Matthews has since been added to the board of directors that these singers make up). They were inspired by Bob Dylan to create the charity.

Following the Live Aid concert the same year, Dylan remarked, “I hope that some of the money… maybe they can just take a little bit of it, maybe… one or two million, maybe… and use it, say, to pay the mortgages on some of the farms and, the farmers here, owe to the banks.”

Today we know that we need the family farm even more than ever. From pesticide use to hormone treatments, animal cruelty to impoverished farmers, the rise of the factory farm has created a very bleak road for the average American farmer.

Farm Aid works to reverse this problem. They have helped pass the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, raise awareness about the problems family farms face and just how important they are to begin with, raise environmental awareness, and raise money for the farms every year through a star-studded concert. Fans of blues, rock and country can always expect a spectacular show—especially since Young, Mellencamp, Nelson and Matthews all perform as well.

So far, Farm Aid has raised almost $35 million since they first formed—not bad for the longest-running concert for charity in the whole country!

Tickets go on sale July 25, ranging from $44 to $169, and lawn seats at $39. Though this year’s lineup has yet to be announced, last year—in addition to the four phenomenal performers heading the organization—Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Pretenders and many more bands played.  Previous performers have also included Merle Haggard, Gregg Allman, Sheryl Crow, the Doobie Brothers, Martina McBride, the Counting Crows, Brooks & Dunn, and many more.  

If you can’t attend the concert but want to learn more or help out, be sure to visit the website where you can make donations, get help for farmers, buy Farm Aid gear and more.