From Billboard · Thom Duffy · · 1m
Willie Nelson Farm Aid Crisis
Farm Aid confronts rising farmer bankruptcies and federal cuts amid a crisis.
In brief
Farm Aid confronts rising farmer bankruptcies and federal cuts amid a crisis. Farm Aid addresses a surge in family farmer bankruptcies and USDA staff cuts as the crisis deepens. Originally reported by Billboard.
Farm Crisis Intensifies
Willie Nelson and friends perform at Farm Aid in Virginia Beach on Sept. 26 amid rising farm bankruptcies and federal cuts.
“You’re looking at a real crisis happening right now. the same way it was in the early ’80s when I was a child”
41 Years of Support
Farm Aid has raised $90 million over 41 years to support family farmers since its 1985 launch.
Bankruptcy Surge
315 family farmers filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in 2025, a 46 percent increase from 2024.
USDA Staff Cuts
The USDA lost 24,000 employees in 14 months, reducing its staff by 27 percent since the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network started.
Farm Support Efforts
Farm Aid’s Mary Oxendine and Nora Miller train groups to help farmers navigate financial distress through the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network.
Crisis Deepens
Farmers face rising bankruptcy filings, USDA staff cuts, and challenges in accessing financial support as Farm Aid addresses the crisis.
Here's the gist
Farm Aid addresses a surge in family farmer bankruptcies and USDA staff cuts as the crisis deepens.
