Farm Aid's Nelson, Mellencamp, Young and Matthews Urge Congress to Redirect
Bailout to Working Men and Women, Farmers
Open Letter to Congress Calls for $1 Billion Investment in Farm Communities to
Solve America's Economic, Environmental, Energy and Health Problems
SOMERVILLE, Mass., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the $700
billion Wall Street bailout currently being considered by Congress, the Farm
Aid Board of Directors Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave
Matthews sent an open letter to Congressional leaders urging them to redirect
funds to farm communities and working men and women, where they can be better
used to address our country's economic, environment, energy and health crises.
"The proposed $700 bailout asks taxpayers to foot the bill without giving them
the opportunity to share in any gains that might result," Willie Nelson said.
"On the other hand, a $1 billion investment in family farm agriculture would
enrich all of us, because we are all shareholders of the family farm. The
return on investment in the family farm includes thriving local economies,
nutritious food for better health, a safer and more secure food supply, a
cleaner environment and more renewable energy."
Nelson and fellow Farm Aid board members Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave
Matthews marked Farm Aid's 23rd year last weekend with a New England-based
benefit concert that showcased the tenacity of family farmers as an example of
what it takes to solve America's most pressing challenges.
"Family farmers are the bedrock of this country. They are always looking for
new answers to problems and finding creative solutions that work," said
Nelson.
Farm Aid led by example at its annual benefit concert by becoming the only
music festival to serve family farm food to concertgoers, artists, crews and
VIPs, demonstrating what is possible in efforts to bring more family farm food
to more people.
To read the open letter to Congressional leaders sent by Farm Aid Board of
Directors Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, please
visit www.farmaid.org/lettertocongress.
Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant family farm-centered system of
agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil
Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual concert to raise funds
to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose
family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $30 million to
support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food
Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture
and promote food from family farms.
SOURCE Farm Aid
Maria Enie, +1-202-331-4323, menie@vancomm.com, for Farm Aid
