Farm Aid 40 to Proceed in Minneapolis After Labor Strike Agreement

Organizers confirmed that Farm Aid 40 will proceed as scheduled at the University of Minnesota after the university and striking workers reached a settlement. The announcement came on Saturday, September 13, 2025, confirming the festival will take place at Minneapolis’ Huntington Bank Stadium on September 20.

Farm Aid’s team thanked both the university and Teamsters Local 320 for resolving the dispute and said they were relieved to confirm the milestone 40th-anniversary concert will remain in Minneapolis. The organization framed the agreement as an example of what can be accomplished when parties act in good faith and prioritize fairness.

The lineup for Farm Aid’s 40th edition features co-founders and headliners Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, alongside Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Margo Price, Billy Strings and other performers. Organizers expect roughly 50,000 attendees for the celebration of music and farming communities.

In the days leading up to the settlement, Nelson personally engaged with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Nelson said he appreciated the governor’s attention to the situation and emphasized that the university ultimately needed to make the decision that would allow Farm Aid 40 to proceed.

The labor dispute began after Teamsters Local 320 — representing public-sector custodial, maintenance, food service and sanitation staff — voted on September 4 to reject a proposed contract extension and subsequently went on strike. Festival build crews were scheduled to begin work on September 12, heightening concerns about the feasibility of relocating or canceling the event on short notice.

Organizers had warned that a late move or cancellation would impose severe financial strain on Farm Aid, noting that expenses already committed to this anniversary could jeopardize the nonprofit’s future efforts on behalf of family farmers.

Since its founding in 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $85 million to support resilient family farms and agricultural advocacy.

Below is Farm Aid’s statement announcing that the event will move forward in Minneapolis.

Source