Farm Aid Faces Cancellation Over Labor Strike: ‘May Well Threaten the Survival of Our Organization’

Organizers of the Sept. 20 Farm Aid 40 concert at the University of Minnesota say they might have to cancel this year’s festival if an ongoing strike at the school isn’t resolved soon — a scenario they warn could have devastating consequences for the annual event.

“The University’s Teamsters employees are on strike because of the University’s inability to come back to the table to resolve this contract dispute justly. We are deeply concerned that this jeopardizes our ability to hold Farm Aid 40 as planned,” reads a statement from Farm Aid’s co-executive directors Jennifer Fahy and Shorlette Ammons provided to Billboard.

“Our artists, production team and partners have made clear that they will not cross a picket line,” the statement continues. “The team that is scheduled tomorrow (Sept 12) to begin building our complex stage and set is made up of loyal production people who have an ongoing relationship with labor across the U.S. They also will not cross a picket line.”

Crews were set to begin building the elaborate stage and site production inside the Huntington Bank Stadium for the festival, which is set to be headlined by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Margo Price, Billy Strings and more. Approximately 50,000 fans were expected to attend the concert.

Farm Aid began in 1985 in Champaign, Ill., and has been held 38 times over the past four decades, raising more than $85 million “to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture,” according to its website.

Organizers announced in May that the 40th anniversary concert of the original Farm Aid would be held at the University of Minnesota. On Sept. 4, members of the Teamsters Local Union 320 — which represents public sector employees at the school, including custodial staff, maintenance, food service and sanitation workers — voted to reject a proposed contract extension from the University. Days later, they went on strike.

Festival organizers said in a statement provided to Billboard that work to set up the staging for the festival needs to begin on Friday (Sept. 12). University officials provided a statement to the Star Tribune newspaper saying it has been “engaged in conversation with Farm Aid for months and especially throughout this week. The decision about whether the event moves forward is theirs. It is not a University of Minnesota decision.” 

“The University is and will remain highly supportive of farmers,” the statement continued. “The University of Minnesota has gone above and beyond to partner with the organizers of Farm Aid to create an exceptional experience for attendees and artists.” 

Festival organizers are “currently looking at all of our options for hosting this event, but it is not an easy task to pivot at this point,” they said in a statement. It’s unclear where the festival could move; the nearby U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is hosting a game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 21, according to its website, while the Twins are hosting a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians at the city’s Target Field on Sept. 20.

“It is critical to understand that if Farm Aid 40 is forced to move or cancel, the financial impact could be devastating,” festival organizers said in a statement to Billboard. “The expenses already incurred to bring this historic event to Minnesota may well threaten the survival of our organization after four decades of service to family farmers. We urge the University of Minnesota to settle this contract quickly so that Farm Aid 40 can proceed as intended — to celebrate four decades of farmers, music, and solidarity. The world is watching, and together we can make sure this anniversary is remembered for unity, not division.”