Nelson Letter Urges Voters And Candidates To Remember America's Family Farmers

Farm Aid
Friday, 25 August 2000

Farm Aid's 15th Anniversary Prompts Founder Willie Nelson to Voice His Concerns About the Future of the Farm Families and Rural Communities

SOMERVILLE, Ma.-In a personal letter released today, Farm Aid president Willie Nelson urges all Americans, especially voters and candidates, to remember family farmers in this election year.

Farm Aid's 15th anniversary comes in this crucial election year, and Nelson says now is the perfect time for voters and candidates to make a difference for farm families. Nelson has a lifelong interest in family farming, and he says he's still determined to do all he can to help America's family farmers stay on their land.

In his letter, Nelson reminisces about growing up in a small town in Texas, where miles of bountiful farmland were his backyard. Nelson says he had the best of everything and, unfortunately, family farmers today do not. Nelson points out that failed farm policies are driving prices down and forcing family farmers off their land. With the support of voters and candidates, Nelson feels the tide will change for America's farmers.

"I would urge voters and the candidates to remember the family farmers this election year," said Nelson. "Let's not leave them behind, because I believe that they are, and always will be, the backbone of this country."

Farm Aid attributes the current farm crisis to failed government policies that promote the chronic overproduction of grain, livestock and dairy products, which forces family farmers to sell their products for much less than it costs to produce them. The average farmer earns only $7,000 annually from on-farm income, and among all livelihoods in the country, family farmers are facing the greatest decline.

Nelson has invited presidential candidates, Vice President Al Gore, Texas Governor George W. Bush, Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan, to meet before Farm Aid's 15th anniversary concert, Sept. 17 at Nissan Pavilion in Prince William County, Va. In addition to the four presidential candidates, the members of the House and Senate Agricultural Committees, members of the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committees and the House and Senate leadership have been invited to hear from family farmers.

Farm Aid 2000's lineup includes Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, along with Barenaked Ladies, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Travis Tritt, Sawyer Brown, Arlo Guthrie, North Mississippi All Stars, Jimmy Sturr, Shannon Curfman, Pat Green and more artists to be announced. Ticket buyers may call about a limited number of "Corn Belt" seats for $65. Pavilion tickets are priced at $42.50 and lawn tickets are $27.50. Parking and other applicable service fees will be added to the ticket price. Tickets are available at the Nissan Pavilion Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations. To purchase tickets by phone call 703-573-SEAT, 202-432-SEAT, 410-481-SEAT or 1-800-551-SEAT. Also, tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Farm Aid 2000 presented by Best Buy will be telecast for the third consecutive year by CMT: Country Music Television as a live eight-hour special Sunday, Sept. 17 from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. EDT. Also, the show will be aired that day on CMT Canada.

Farm Aid was founded in 1985 by Nelson, Mellencamp and Young to raise public awareness about the plight of the American family farmer and to provide assistance to those families whose livelihood depends on agriculture. In the past 15 years, Farm Aid has granted over $15 million to more than 100 farm organizations, churches and service agencies in 44 states.

For more information, or to contact Farm Aid, see their website at: www.farmaid.org