SEATTLE, WA.  [Wednesday Aug.4.2004]  /Mix103FM.com/ -- Farm Aid will hold its annual benefit concert for family farmers, Farm Aid 2004 Presented by Silk Soymilk, on September 18 at the White River Amphitheatre on the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation in Auburn, Washington, just outside Seattle.

"It's a great time for Farm Aid to head to the West Coast," said Farm Aid President Willie Nelson. "Washington is home to more than 35,000 farm families working to provide us with safe and healthy food. We're proud to honor their contributions and recognize the Northwest region as a leader in building family farm food systems."

Washington State is a leader in the movement to strengthen family farms, and its farmers have worked hard to create family farm-centered food systems that provide healthy, wholesome food to benefit consumers and their communities.

"Seattle is a perfect example of how a city might embrace the philosophy of healthy food, from the farm to the table," said Farm Aid board member Dave Matthews. "Like the rest of the world, Seattle faces the same big money pressure to put up with sub-standard food produced solely for profit at the expense of the environment and the quality of what we eat. The success of Seattle's consumer awareness to demand quality food from farmers who care (like small family farms) should inspire us all. This year, as always, we will highlight the many dangers we face if corporate, profit driven farming is allowed to continue its hostile takeover of the world's food production. But we would also like to celebrate a growing awareness and the solutions that are possible. That's why we're bringing Farm Aid to Seattle."

"The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is pleased to welcome this important event to the White River Amphitheatre" said Muckleshoot Tribal Council Chairman, John Daniels, Jr. "The Muckleshoot culture is built upon the principle of sustainability, and we are pleased to welcome Farm Aid to the Pacific Northwest and support their efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and family farms."

Farm Aid will use the Seattle benefit to launch its new guide, "10 Ways to Ensure Healthy Food for You and Your Family." The guide contains concrete tips to help people choose food produced by family farmers, food that is healthier, often locally grown and environmentally friendly. Farm Aid and local family farm organizations will host a "10 Ways in 10 Days" series of events at Pike Place Market during the ten days leading up to the September 18th concert."

The Farm Aid 2004 lineup features Farm Aid board members Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews. More artists will be announced throughout the summer.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2004 Presented by Silk Soymilk go on sale Saturday, August 7 at 12:00 pm PT and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone in Seattle at 206-628-0888 or 253-627-TIXS, the White River Amphitheatre Box Office, or online at http://www.whiteriverconcerts.com.

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. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised $26 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Through public education and direct grants, Farm Aid supports national, regional and local efforts to build and strengthen family farm food systems. Farm Aid promotes sustainable agriculture, fights factory farms, advocates for fair farm prices, and provides credit counseling and direct assistance to farm families.

For more information, visit http://www.farmaid.org/site/PageServer.

Wanna own a piece of Dave Matthews?

More on Dave Matthews