Farm Aid awarded more than $735,900 to strengthen family farm agriculture in December. The national non-profit organization, which works to ensure a safe, healthy, fresh food supply by keeping family farmers on the land, selected 59 groups to receive grants that were anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000. Farm Aid says it is proud that every dollar is put to good use helping family farmers.

Farm Aid grants, funded largely from the proceeds of annual concerts given by performers that support Farm Aid causes, such as Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews, go to support the activities of farm and rural service organizations. The organizations selected show exemplary support one of Farm Aid’s four main program areas: 1) growing the good food movement, 2) helping farmers thrive, 3) taking action to change the system and 4) promoting food from family farms.

Farm Aid president Willie Nelson approved the recommendations for the 2006 Farm Aid grant recipients. A full report on recipients, allocations and projects being funded is available on the Farm Aid website.

Farm Aid was started in 1985 by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp in response to the farm crisis that was forcing thousands of family farmers off the land. In 2001, Dave Matthews joined Farm Aid's Board of Directors, adding a compelling new voice to the movement. No other concert-for-a-cause can claim the longevity, the unwavering commitment of its artists, and the impact that Farm Aid has achieved in its 21 years. Read more of Farm Aid's history.