As tensions between striking University of Minnesota workers and administration show no signs of resolution, Farm Aid 40—the landmark benefit concert scheduled for September 20, 2025, at Huntington Bank Stadium—faces potential cancellation or relocation.
The high-profile event, celebrating four decades of support for family farmers, now hangs in the balance as Teamsters Local 320 members continue their strike that began in early September.
The concert, featuring Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, and Margo Price, represents more than just entertainment; it embodies a 40-year commitment to sustainable agriculture and family farm advocacy.
Farm Aid organizers have publicly pledged solidarity with the striking custodial, food service, and maintenance workers, refusing to cross picket lines despite the financial consequences this stance may trigger.
Standing with workers over profits, Farm Aid honors picket lines while acknowledging the financial risk to their mission.
“We’re potentially facing devastating losses,” a Farm Aid representative explained, noting that substantial funds have already been invested in the University of Minnesota venue.
The organization’s ability to continue its mission of providing emergency assistance to farmers and advocating for fair agricultural policies could be jeopardized if the event cannot proceed as planned.
University officials maintain they have offered a “highly competitive” contract to workers but must balance fiscal responsibility with employee compensation.
Meanwhile, the striking workers contend the proposal fails to address their demands for fair treatment and adequate wages.
Willie Nelson has personally appealed to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to intervene, highlighting the critical stakes for both the labor movement and the farming community.
“The connection between farm and labor movements runs deep in American history,” Nelson stated in his appeal.
The labor dispute involves over 1,400 Teamsters members who voted against the university’s proposed contract, establishing picket lines throughout the campus.
This would mark the first time Farm Aid has held its festival in Minnesota, a state with deep agricultural roots and a rich farming heritage.
The cancellation would be particularly devastating for artists who rely on benefit concerts as one of their diverse income streams alongside their regular touring schedules.
Organizers had planned to boost the event’s reach through social media advertising and promotional campaigns across music streaming platforms.
If the dispute remains unresolved, Farm Aid faces difficult choices that could result in millions of dollars meant for struggling farmers being lost to cancellation costs or diminished by relocation expenses.
Both the University and Farm Aid continue communications, but with each passing day, the likelihood of finding an acceptable solution diminishes, leaving the fate of this milestone celebration increasingly uncertain.
