Farm Aid activists know to show up early for each year’s festival — several days early. This year, on Thursday (Sept. 18), a night of music was curated for invited guests by Rissi Palmer, recipient of the Lift Every Voice Award from the Academy of Country Music.  On Friday (Sept. 19), the annual farmer forum was billed as “Seeding Democracy From Our Fields to Our Future” and included a keynote address from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. And Friday evening saw the presentation of the annual Spirit of Farm Aid awards to organization supporters.

Stepping outside the Farm Aid Eve celebration Friday night to talk, David Senter, founder and president of the American Agriculture Movement and a Farm Aid historian, was asked: after 40 years does Farm Aid matter? “It matters because those family farmers that are still out there struggling need to know that they’re not alone,” he replied.  He noted that Farm Aid brings together scores of activist organizations from across the nation. “It’s like rolling out a neutral stage where when you find issues you agree on where everybody can speak in a unified voice.” In a divided nation, “that’s important right now isn’t it?” In April Senter and Nelson co-wrote “A Letter to Young Farmers,” published on the Farm Aid website. “We are determined to prevent the corporate takeover of all food production making sure there is opportunity for independent farmers and ranchers on the land,” they wrote. “The farmer’s role is essential and well worth fighting for. We want you to know you are not alone. We stand with you and are here to support you because you are the future of family farm agriculture.”

For Farm Aid’s opening sets organizers have long had unerring skill at presenting artists whom fans might have only heard in smaller venues. Saturday was no exception with country singer/songwriter Madeline Edwards showcasing her compelling new album Fruit; Eric Burton of Black Pumas offering a soulful solo set; and Waxahatchee playing songs from its most recent release Tigers Blood.  But the Farm Aid debut of shaggy-haired firebrand Jesse Welles was a moment no one will forget. One of the sharpest satirists and topical songwriters to emerge in years Welles drew a standing ovation for his set including “War Isn’t Murder.”

Wynonna Judd wanted to know how many in the audience had not previously seen her in concert. Many cheered to show they had not. “It’s about fricking time!” she shouted back. In the mid ’80s when Farm Aid began Wynonna and her mother Naomi (as The Judds) were one of the hottest acts in country music. In more recent years Wynonna had experienced personal setbacks and tragedies that made her onstage comment — “music is a healer” — resonate all the more. Still instantly recognizable with her fiery red hair her set drew from her solo career but she sang hits from The Judds including “Rhythm of the Rain” and “Why Not Me” as decades disappeared.

Two of the finest bluegrass-influenced acts on the scene today played late afternoon and early evening sets respectively. Trampled by Turtles whose latest album is a collaboration with Alan Sparhawk of indie act Low were home state favorites hailing from Duluth Minn. Billy Strings meanwhile who won a Grammy Award earlier this year for album Live Vol. 1 has been part of Willie Nelson’s sprawling inclusive musical family since they recorded “California Sober” in 2023.

With his long gray beard and black garb Steve Earle looked every bit the renegade he had been earlier in his life as he greeted the afternoon crowd. “This is my first Farm Aid in a while,” said Earle. He first appeared at the festival when it took place just outside Austin Texas in 1986 same year he released his acclaimed debut album Guitar Town. That song opened his set Saturday; actually it was first of two solo sets he played while stage was prepared for bands on bill; for his second set he brought out his mandolin for “The Galway Girl” and his classic “Copperhead Road.”

Homegrown Village is Farm Aid’s offstage area for attendees to view exhibits that connect with farming food rural culture — increasingly issues of climate economics; artists take part; during day Nathaniel Rateliff took part discussions ways make farms economically sustainable Margo Price talked about climate conservation Minnesota Jesse Welles took topic corporate power agriculture.

In a late afternoon set Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats took stage — took no prisoners; wearing hat emblazoned with logo American Agriculture Movement well-worn red T-shirt declaring “Stop Factory Farms” Rateliff led band through horn-fired organ-pumping gospel-shouting set R&B which has ignited Farm Aid crowds years favorites like “S.O.B” “I Need Never Get Old.” Including Saturday’s set Rateliff band played at Farm Aid four times past eight years.

The early evening set from Lukas Nelson brought two delightful collaborations; no longer playing electric band Promise Real accompanied solely standup bass violin Nelson welcomed Dave Matthews sing Daniel Lanois’ mystical song “The Maker.” Then Nelson introduced “a great rising talent” Sierra Ferrell — who has just been named artist year second time Americana Music Association — dueted with him on “Friend End.”

Taking place one largest venues has played years Farm Aid may well filled Huntington Bank Stadium without late addition bill Kenny Chesney who’s third hottest touring act according Billboard Boxscore just finished residency Sphere Las Vegas; but participation certainly didn’t hurt Saturday ticket sales; another repeat Farm Aid supporter last played festival 2012 Chesney’s set proved festival community would readily embrace No Shoes Nation.