Governor Proclaims Farm Aid Festival 2022

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina and the City of Raleigh are pleased to host the 37^th Annual Farm Aid Festival; and

WHEREAS, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on their land; and

WHEREAS, since the formation of the benefit concert and nonprofit, Farm Aid has raised more than $64 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture while inspiring millions of people to take part in the Good Food Movement; and

WHEREAS, Farm Aid is an all-day festival that brings together incredible music, good food, and hands-on activities to get folks in touch with the roots of our food; and

WHEREAS, Farm Aid is not just an annual music, food, and farm festival, it is a movement with a team working every day, year-round, to build a system of agriculture that values family farms, good food, soil and water, and strong communities; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is a strong supporter of agriculture and encourages residents to support their local farms;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 24, 2022, as “FARM AID FESTIVAL” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.