Happy Holidays from Farm Aid!

Thank you to Sheryl Crow for sharing this video about what it's like to play at Farm Aid 💞

Bob Dylan attempts to explain Willie Nelson in The New Yorker's profile of Willie: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Our Hotline Team has started compiling resources to help: www.farmaid.org/blog... 6/6

For two weeks in early December, the Pacific Northwest experienced extreme rain and record levels of flooding from an atmospheric river, with a state of emergency declared in Washington State on December 10. As the water begins to abate, residents are starting to assess the full damage. 1/6

A few more photos from this exhibit! Visit our post to see more.

This story and more are highlighted in this week's Land Line from LSP. The Land Line is a regular round-up of local, regional, and national news that touches on the work of LSP. You can read the whole issue and sign up here: landstewardshipproject.org/land-line-co...

An issue of our quarterly newsletter filled with resources for farmers and farm advocates went out today. It looks ahead to 2026 for grant opportunities and details about our upcoming Farmer Listening Session. Take a look and subscribe at

"A lot of people think that they can do it alone, but we also need the federal government to do it with us. That's how we also build food security and national security." — Vanessa Garcia Polanco, of the National Young Farmers Coalition www.npr.org/2025/12/...

America's farmers have faced a year unlike any other, with a roller coaster of changing tariff and trade policies along with drastic cuts to federal funding and programs. 1/3

Farmers and ranchers aren't being hyperbolic when they use the words "farm crisis." It's looking pretty 1985 out there right now, with more pain on the horizon. These hotlines are critical for farmers in crisis. So is organizing for policies that work for producers instead of against them.

"This is a gut punch to working families. Raising health insurance premiums by thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars doesn't fix what's broken in health care. It just shifts the cost onto families and small businesses." ~ Matt Russell of the Iowa Farmers Union

"Songs of Solidarity: The 1985 Farm Aid Concert" is a new exhibit at the University of Illinois's Spurlock Museum of World Cultures. Through photos and artifacts, it looks back at the first Farm Aid concert, held at the university's Memorial Stadium.

It seems like just letting the Biden administration's stronger antitrust updates to the Packers and Stockyards Act go into effect would have been easier and more effective than throwing researched and publicly supported rules away and jotting down a new executive order.

Not surprising. Most can see this "re-organization" for what it is - an attempt to dismantle #USDA's capacity by cutting staff and expertise. www.govexec.com/management/2...

"As farmers face historic headwinds and market hardships, calls to the national Farm Aid hotline and the Iowa Concern hotline — where farmers can get support in times of mental health crisis or need — are increasing."

The food we share connects us in profound ways, not just during this season of giving and gratitude, but with each and every meal that nourishes us throughout the year. Food connects us to each other, and to the land, culture and traditions we celebrate.

This month, Farm Aid distributed End of Year grants totaling $1,146,000 to 106 family farm, rural response and urban ag orgs. Earlier in 2025, we distributed more than $190,000 through other programs, bringing the org's grantmaking total to more than $1,336,000 for the year. 1/8

Kayla Van Zielst on farming organic cotton in Texas for Farm Aid shirts. Kayla works alongside her father, Carl, on Carl Pepper Farm, and is active in all parts of their operation, from driving tractors to marketing.

Today marks 800 days since the last #FarmBill expired! Learn what this means for farmers and what policymakers have to say about this massive pieces of legislation in the latest episode of our podcast. Listen or read a transcript at:

Darius Rucker reflects on 40 years of Farm Aid 💗

🗞️#Breaking Fleeting Relief for Some Farmers, But ‘Bridge’ Payments Lack Long-Term Solutions. "The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program provides some initial relief, but is insufficient on its own." Read the release from NSAC & National Young Farmers Coalition: sustainableagriculture.net/blog/joint-r...

We're happy to announce that this year, we distributed more than $1.3 million in grant funding to support family farmers. Learn more and see the list of organizations we supported: www.farmaid.org/pres...

Trump admin's farmer trade aid is an admission that an erratic tariff policy is hurting farmers. Rising costs affect all farmers (not just commodity crop producers). The ag economy is still vulnerable to export disruption. Systemic problems remain. content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USD...

"I've had farmers tell me that our counseling program saved their farm and likely saved their life," Remington Rice told Bridge Michigan. "How do we tell farmers that we can't support counseling anymore?"

New episode alert! 🎙️ We're taking you back to Farm Aid 40 in Minneapolis, where we spoke with some of Minnesota's leading policymakers about the challenges farmers face and the urgent need for a Farm Bill.

The shutdown likely resulted in changes within federal agencies that will have long-lasting consequences, not only for farmers but for all Americans.

Once again, Iowans are paying the price for lack of accountability for Big Ag.

The Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network (DBAN) helps farmers, ranchers and foresters facing financial distress with tailored one-on-one support. DBAN recently hosted a training with two senior staff attorneys from the Land Loss Prevention Project on heirs' property.

On behalf of family farmers across the country, Farm Aid sends a heartfelt THANKS to the generous supporters who are standing with Farm Aid today ... BUT we're not there yet!

We all need family farmers to grow the good food that sustains us; to care for the soil, water and climate around us; and to strengthen our communities. We connects farmers to the critical resources they need to thrive and build a family farm-centered system of ag in America.

Farmer ingenuity! Minnesota soybeans are being used to create a foam to fight fires without the negative health and environmental impacts of traditional foams that use forever chemicals known as PFAS. 👏

It's #GivingTuesday! On this global day of giving, we're asking you to stand with Farm Aid because when you support family farmers, you're also strengthening the communities we share. farmaid.org/GivingTu...

This article talks about some of the disasters Vermont has faced in the last few years and a state-level legislative initiative to support farmers after climate disasters, which was supported by Farm Aid via a strategic grant.

"The H-2A program has issued roughly 420,000 visas annually since 2023, covering about half of all agricultural jobs...the government expects to issue an additional 119,000 visas." New rule also lowers minimum wage + lets employers charge for housing.

Watch this YouTube playlist we created with performances from Farm Aid 40 – perfect tunes to accompany cooking or traveling!

Beets are affordable, packed with antioxidants and a great storage crop, meaning they're easy to find all winter – even in cold places. Our Culinary Director shared an easy recipe for Beet Walnut Salad, adapted from a dish served at this year's Farm Aid.

On Thanksgiving Day, you can listen to a special encore broadcast of the "Farm Aid 40" festival on Willie's Roadhouse – plus enjoy 100+ SiriusXM channels free in your car for a limited time, now through December 1. Learn more: www.siriusxm.com/Wil...

We often hear from people who want to make a difference in our farm and food system. They tell us that the issues seem too large, too out of their control and they're not sure where they can really make a dent.

One of our Farmer Heroes, Hummingbird's Blooms owner and farmer-florist, Alexandra Norton, led a demonstration last year in the Farm Aid 2024 HOMEGROWN Skills Tent.

Mpls Fed ag outlook not good. a Minnesota lender offered a foreboding assessment: “If conditions continue to deteriorate on the price side there will be producers unable to farm next year.” www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2025...

There's a Farm Crisis, but it's not just because of the trade war with China. This video spoke with farmers who explain "it's because a handful of corporations have taken control of their markets to ensure they always win, and farmers barely break even." youtu.be/cl02K72QFS0

President Trump blames beef monopolies for rising meat costs, ordering the Department of Justice to look into the ‘Big Four’ meatpackers. @jmcjmc.bsky.social reports for @investigatemidwest.bsky.social:

We and our allies reached a settlement on behalf of @ewgofficial.bsky.social for Tyson to stop making climate claims. Big Ag needs to know that we're protecting consumers from their greenwashing. More ➡️ farmstand.org/tyson-foods-... @animallegaldefense.bsky.social @earthjustice.org

"Bankruptcies will likely grow as farmers talk with lenders in the weeks ahead about this year's returns and how to finance next year's crops, farm and bankruptcy experts say. Crop prices are projected to be below or at the costs to grow the crops." www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/...

Take action for a sustainable food future! Tell Congress to pass the LOCAL Foods Act (S.1212/H.R. 5341), a bipartisan bill that supports small-scale meat producers in rural communities! Ask your legislator to co-sponsor the bill here: rebrand.ly/LOCALFoods 🐂🐖🐑 Learn more: nffc.net/clarify-on-f...

A little cow cuddling sounds pretty good today... Love the photos in this 🎁 article: www.washingtonpost.c...

#4 way to Support Family Farmers? Connect with a farmer in-person or online! Learn more farmaid.org/10ways

"We know of every pound of forever chemicals presents a risk of contamination of our food, water and soil, so it doesn't make sense to deliberately be spraying these on California's food." — Bernadette Del Chiaro, Environmental Working Group

Farm Aid is hiring! We have 2 positions open to join our Farmer Hotline Team, one is full-time and the other is part-time. These are both grant-funded positions with some regional focus. Visit farmaid.org/careers for more info