Many farmers in the US cannot keep up with the competition from cheap food from the agricultural industry. Musicians draw attention to this at a mixture of rock festival and agricultural fair.
Beyond the state capital Indianapolis, the state of Indiana rarely looks as rural and idyllic as it does here, around the amphitheater “Ruoff Music Center” near Noblesville. The spacious concrete and steel facility with unmistakable 1970s charm is the venue for “Farm Aid” this weekend, a magnet for rock fans and farmers at the same time. 20,000 spectators are there this year.
Rock festival and Agricultural fair
Since 1985, the unique spectacle, a mixture of rock festival and agricultural fair, has been drawing attention to the livelihood needs of small farmers and family farmers. The founding fathers are back on stage: Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. To the delight of the fans, a surprise guest suddenly and unexpectedly performs three songs: Bob Dylan.
As always, the aging old rockers encourage their fans to buy locally produced food and thus secure the existence of local farms: a tough job of persuasion, even in the agricultural state of Indiana in the Midwest of the USA.
The US musicians John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson (both left) and Neil Young (second from right) are the founders of the “Farm Aid” festival.
Smallholders Businesses are dying out
“The number of family farms we have lost to large-scale industrialized agriculture is heartbreaking,” laments Indiana Democratic Senator Shelli Yoder. She strolls through the farmers’ market, which traditionally complements the festival, and describes the downward spiral that “Farm Aid” also brings to attention every year: small farmers cannot compete with industrial companies in terms of price, consumers prefer to buy cheap goods, and small-scale agriculture is dying out.
There is a very influential person who could make the crucial difference, says the senator. “We as consumers have enormous power,” Shelli Yoder agrees with Neil Young. “It’s up to us to make the small financial sacrifice and buy healthy, local food instead!”
And thereby ensure the survival of small businesses, like that of Chris Baggott’s “Tyner Pond” farm. “Our government is under the lobbying influence of large industrial companies,” he complains. Accordingly, little financial help can be expected from public budgets, for example for switching to organic farming. The only thing left for small farmers to do is to appeal to consumers, no matter how difficult it may be.
Poor nutrition has consequences for Health system
“The cheap food from the agricultural industry only appears to be cheap,” argues Jason Federer, whose farm is in Wolcott. Finally, you have to add the costs for the health system. Obesity and diabetes, due to poor nutrition, have long been widespread diseases in the USA. Even on the Noblesville festival grounds, some people have a few pounds too much on their ribs. Grilled meat and fried foods dominate the food stalls.
After all, the ingredients all come from the fields and stables of Indiana. “We would all rather have farming families who feel responsible for the land and their customers,” says David Fisher, whose cattle ranch in Jasper has been in the family since the mid-19th century. The “Farm Aid” festival is extremely important for raising awareness, says Fisher. His company supplies organic meat to the dining halls of several universities in Indiana.
“You don’t have to eat at hamburger chains and from the potato chip aisle!” For him, that is the central message of “Farm Aid.” “Do something for your health and at the same time to preserve traditional rural areas.” And then he treats himself and his family to an enjoyable break. Under a clear blue sky, the Fishers roll out their picnic blanket on the large lawn in front of the shell-like stage. Your favorite among the rock legends: John Mellencamp, who plays a home game. At 71, the youngest of the “Farm Aid” founders comes from Seymour, Indiana. Even among rockers, the smell of the stable sometimes counts.