By Blake Jackson
Farm Aid is making a comeback to the Empire State this fall. The music and food festival will take place on September 21st at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Headliners include Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews.
The event aims to raise funds and awareness for family farmers, a sector facing significant challenges. "It's great to be back," said Farm Aid Cultural Impact Director Michael Foley. "Highlighting the work of farmers in upstate New York."
According to Jennifer Nelson of Rosey Rae's Farm, the rising costs of inputs are a major hurdle for farmers. "The cost of input is skyrocketing, but people are still paying the same amount for milk they were paying 20 years ago," she said.
These increasing costs, coupled with other economic pressures, have led to a decline in the number of farms in New York. The state lost about 3,000 farms between 2017 and 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Census.
"There is a natural attrition as people leave the industry or retire out of it," said New York Farm Bureau Chief Executive Officer Deanna Fox. "We're not doing less farming in New York. What we're seeing instead, farms are consolidating."
The New York Farm Bureau is committed to supporting farmers through public policy and advocacy. "Making sure that we’re meeting the needs of our farmers," Fox said. "The needs of farmers are changing as technology related to agriculture changes, and the type of agriculture people are doing changes."
Farm Aid, founded by Willie Nelson over 35 years ago, has raised nearly $80 million for family farmers. This year's event marks the third time the festival has been held in New York and the second time at SPAC.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotografixx
Categories: New York, Business