Farm Aid 40 could be canceled if U of M strike continues, implores continued bargaining

Source: KARE-11

A spokesperson with Farm Aid said leaders with the University of Minnesota "must return to the bargaining table in good faith."

Author: Felicity Dachel, KARE 11 Staff
Published: 3:27 PM CDT September 11, 2025
Updated: 5:33 PM CDT September 11, 2025

MINNEAPOLIS — The future of Farm Aid is in jeopardy as Teamsters strike against the University of Minnesota following months of contract negotiations.

"The farm and labor movements are intertwined," a spokesperson for Farm Aid said in a statement to KARE 11. "Time and again farmers and workers have shown up for each other in solidarity. We are proud that the Teamsters support our festival each year! Our artists, production team and partners have made clear that they will not cross a picket line."

Teamsters Local 320 represents 1,400 maintenance, food service and janitorial staff, and has been negotiating with the school since March. The union workers walked off the job Monday after rejecting what the university called their "last, final, and best offer."

Farm Aid has been raising money for struggling family farms for 40 years. This will be the first time Farm Aid is hosted in Minnesota. The show is set to be held at Huntington Bank Stadium on September 20.

Read more: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/farm-aid-40-umn-strike-implores-university-return-bargaining-table/89-59bfbeba-e67e-48b2-9398-3c1fcbd79f51