Organizers of Farm Aid 40 have confirmed that this year’s festival will proceed as planned at the University of Minnesota, following a resolution between the university’s administration and striking workers.
On Saturday (Sept. 13), Farm Aid organizers announced on social media that the annual event will be held at Minneapolis’ Huntington Bank Stadium on Sept. 20, after the university and Teamsters Local 320 reached a labor agreement.
“Farm Aid is grateful that the University of Minnesota and Teamsters Local 320 have reached an agreement,” organizers wrote on Instagram. “We are thrilled to confirm that Farm Aid 40 will go forward in Minneapolis as planned.”
They continued, “For four decades, Farm Aid has stood with farmers and workers. Today’s agreement is a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together in the spirit of fairness and solidarity.”
The 2025 edition of Farm Aid — marking the festival’s 40th anniversary — will feature headliners Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Margo Price and Billy Strings, among others. The event is expected to draw a crowd of approximately 50,000 fans.
“We look forward to celebrating that spirit on September 20 — alongside farmers, workers, advocates, artists and fans — in a day of music and community that honors this shared history,” the statement concluded.
The labor dispute had cast uncertainty over the event in recent weeks. On Friday (Sept. 12), Farm Aid revealed that Nelson, the festival’s co-founder and president, had personally spoken with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in an effort to help resolve the situation.
“I spoke with @mngovernor, and I’m grateful that he understands what’s at stake for farmers and Farm Aid,” Nelson said in a statement on Instagram. “His involvement is very appreciated. We both know that, ultimately, it’s up to the University to do the right thing, and soon, so that Farm Aid 40 can go forward.”
Farm Aid first announced the location for its 40th anniversary concert in May, naming the University of Minnesota as host. But on Sept. 4, members of Teamsters Local 320 — which represents public sector employees including custodial, maintenance, food service and sanitation staff — voted to reject a proposed contract extension. The union went on strike days later.
Crews were set to begin building the festival infrastructure on Sept. 12. Prior to the agreement, organizers acknowledged the difficulty of relocating the event at such a late stage.
“It is critical to understand that if Farm Aid 40 is forced to move or cancel, the financial impact could be devastating,” organizers said in a previous statement to Billboard. “The expenses already incurred to bring this historic event to Minnesota may well threaten the survival of our organization after four decades of service to family farmers.”
“We urge the University of Minnesota to settle this contract quickly so that Farm Aid 40 can proceed as intended — to celebrate four decades of farmers, music, and solidarity. The world is watching, and together we can make sure this anniversary is remembered for unity, not division.”
Since being founded in 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $85 million “to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture,” according to its website.
See Farm Aid’s statement about moving forward in Minneapolis on Instagram below.
