A couple of star-studded additions to the 40th anniversary Farm Aid, which is taking place on the University of Minnesota campus.
Country superstar Kenny Chesney is now part of the festivities, as well as fellow Country Hall of Famer Wynonna Judd. Also added to the September 20 lineup is Grammy Award-winner Steve Earl, who'll be making his ninth appearance at Farm Aid.
“We’re excited to have Kenny Chesney back on the Farm Aid stage this year,” said Jennifer Fahy, co-executive director of Farm Aid. “He’s one of many artists who have returned to Farm Aid, generously donating their travel and performances to raise awareness about the family farmers who grow good food for all of us. Kenny’s appearance, along with the addition of music legends Wynonna Judd and Steve Earle, will make this an unforgettable anniversary event.”
Chesney, an eight-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year award winner, is one of America’s biggest concert draws. Farm Aid will mark his only 2025 concert performance outside his recently wrapped Sphere residency.
Judd is one of the most decorated female artists in country music history, with 19 No. 1 singles and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The 40th anniversary show is the first time the show is appearing in Minnesota and they're lining up a big one. The festival was first organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young to benefit America's family farmers and all three of them will be on the bill.
Dave Matthews and Margo Price, with additional artists Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles, Waxahatchee, Eric Burton of Black Pumas, Jesse Welles, Madeline Edwards, and Wisdom Indian Dancers will be playing at Huntington Bank Stadium.
"We always play outdoors, so that's a big factor," Farm Aid's Jennifer Fahy told the WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar. "We had always had Minnesota on our list. In fact, we've been here for a number of different site visits over the years. There's just such a strong farm movement here, incredible farmers, incredible resources and innovation for farmers here in the state."
Since the first Farm Aid in Champaign, Illinois in 1985, the concerts have raised more than $80 million for farm families.
“For 40 years, Farm Aid and our partners have stood with farmers, supporting them to stay on their land even when corporate power, bad policies and broken promises make it harder to keep going," founder Willie Nelson said in a statement. "This year, we’re proud to bring Farm Aid to Minnesota to celebrate the farmers who sustain us and to fight for a food system that works for all of us. Family farmers aren’t backing down, and neither are we.”
The Farm Aid 40th Anniversary show will take place at the home of the Gopher football team on September 20, 2025. Tickets for the show are on sale now. Ticket prices will range from about $100 to $390 for the show with features numerous artists.