**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. The event, dedicated to raising funds for farmers in need, will also feature a star-studded lineup including Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews. Dylan last took the Farm Aid stage in 2023.
### The Mission of Farm Aid
Since its inception in 1985, Farm Aid has been a vital source of funding for “year-round work with and for family farmers,” according to its website. Over the decades, the festival has raised more than $85 million to support programs that assist farmers across the United States.
Dylan, known for his socially conscious songs addressing inequality and war, has been an integral part of Farm Aid’s mission and message.
### A Look Back: How Farm Aid Began
Farm Aid’s origins are deeply rooted in activism. During a severe drought in Ethiopia, a campaign was launched to raise funds for relief efforts. Dylan used his platform to draw attention to a pressing crisis closer to home in the U.S., saying, “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.”
This statement resonated with Willie Nelson, a country superstar and former cotton picker. His conversation with Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp sparked the creation of Farm Aid. Since then, the festival has been held annually—with a few exceptions—to support family farmers.
### The Current Landscape for Farmers
Today, farming faces political challenges more intense than ever before. Long-standing issues persist, while new complications arise from climate change and market volatility partly fueled by trade wars and tariffs.
### Coverage Details: Tune in to CNN
Farm Aid 40 is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. CNN has been named the exclusive TV broadcast partner for the event.
CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir will report live from the festival, with John Berman and Laura Coates co-anchoring the coverage.
Farm Aid continues to be a powerful force — bringing music, awareness, and vital funding together to support family farmers nationwide.
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