Stars Cultivate Funds for Farmers

While the music of Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young took center stage, the Farm Aid stars hoped the voices of troubled and struggling farmers would finally be heard. Young said he’s annoyed that family farmers face the same problems they did 11 years ago, when he founded the benefit show with Nelson and Mellencamp. About 40,000 people attended the 12-hour concert at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. Before the music started, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman met with about 300 farmers from across the nation who demanded that the government do more to protect their livelihood. Farm Aid says it has donated $13 million to farm causes since its first show.