Farm Aid returns to Indiana after 11 years

One of Indiana's most famous residents is inviting some of his friends over for a party. Bloomington native John Mellencamp brings one of his biggest achievements, the multi-act fund raising concert Farm Aid, back to Indianapolis for the second time this weekend. Mellencamp founded the concert alongside veteran rockers Willie Nelson and Neil Young to raise money for struggling farmers across the country.\n"I'm proud to bring Farm Aid back home to Indiana, America's heartland," Mellencamp said in a press release. "The enthusiasm and support for farmers in this part of the country is what inspires us all to keep working to protect rural America and all of the farms, families and small businesses that make this country thrive."\nAlong with performances from the three founders, Arlo Guthrie, Martina McBride and Acoustic Syndicate will be there. Dave Matthews will leave his bandmates behind for a special solo acoustic performance.\nWhile the stage will be filled with some of the music industry's top performers, co-founder Nelson stressed the importance of the event on a humanitarian level.\n"We're calling on folks from Indiana and around the country to show our leaders that there is more support than ever for family farmers," Nelson said in a Farm Aid press release. "I want to thank the people of Indianapolis for having us back and helping us ensure that families, not big corporations, are in charge of supplying our dinner tables with food that is safe, fresh and healthy."\nFarm Aid has raised more than $16 million in its sixteen year history for American farmers; $202,000 of which has been granted by Farm Aid to the farmers of Indiana. Most recently, Farm Aid provided a $5,000 grant to the Indiana Citizens Action Coalition.\nAlong with the concert, many farmers from across the nation will gather to rally for the support of agricultural funding. "Celebrating Unity and Democracy: A Farmer Gathering" will take place Friday night at St. Anne's Church in Newcastle. In a strong show of support, farmers from around the area will send locally grown food to those hardest hit by the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.\nThe concert comes on the heels of a bill co-sponsored by Senate Agricultural Committee leaders Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) that would include $170 million over a 10-year period to grain and cotton farmers, while also helping fund conservation programs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.\n"Farm Aid represents farmers, small towns and a lifestyle that could easily disappear from America," Mellencamp said. "I look forward to the Indianapolis Farm Aid to help support and bring recognition to the trials and tribulations of our American farmers."\nIt's been 11 years since Indianapolis last hosted Farm Aid, an event which left a lasting impact on Nelson.\n"The amazing spirit of a Farm Aid concert is unforgettable. It keeps farmers and fans inspired all year round. Indiana sure made Farm Aid welcome in 1990, and I'm looking forward to bringing the music of Farm Aid back to such an enthusiastic audience."\nCountry Music Television will broadcast the sold-out performance live beginning at 4 p.m.