9/7/2007 Stephen L. Betts Farm Aid 2007 hits New York this weekend, with this year's event boasting more than 20 acts, including organization co-founder Willie Nelson and country stars Montgomery Gentry and Billy Joe Shaver. Willie is slated to play a full set at the annual concert, along with fellow co-founders John Mellencamp and Neil Young, longtime Farm Aid board member Dave Matthews, and classic Southern rockers the Allman Brothers Band. Willie is also taking part in a special acoustic set with Dave Matthews and Gregg Allman. Other performers include Allman Brothers Band off-shoots Warren Haynes and The Derek Trucks Band; modern rockers Counting Crows, Guster, and Supersuckers; reggae-hip-hop artist Matisyahu; and polka king Jimmy Sturr. Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival, making its debut in New York, is set for Randall's Island on Sunday (9/9). Through the concerts, the Farm Aid organization works to raise money to help out family farmers. Since its start in 1985, the charity has raised more than 30-million-dollars to fund programs that help farmers thrive, as well as to expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the current system of industrial agriculture, and promote food grown on family farms.
