At the peak of the 1980s farm crisis, the University of Illinois was the site of the first Farm Aid benefit concert —a landmark event whose reverberations continue 40 years later.
On September 22, 1985, 80,000 fans packed Memorial Stadium for a 14-hour show that was broadcast to a nationwide television audience. Star performers from country and rock music focused a powerful spotlight on deepening crisis conditions for American farmers. Led by country music superstar Willie Nelson, concert organizers sought to raise money and consciousness in solidarity with the growing outcry from families across America who were losing their livelihoods.
That first concert gave birth to the Farm Aid organization, which continues to support grassroots efforts for sustainability and justice in American agriculture. Farm Aid’s model of partnership between musical artists and grassroots organizations stands as a unique model of the songs of solidarity.
Created in collaboration with the Champaign County History Museum and students from the UIUC History Harvest class, this exhibit features photos, documents, and objects from the first Farm Aid concert, stories from the farm crisis, and hope for the future of American farming.
