Farm Aid and Forever Green

With the Farm Aid 40 musical festival taking place this weekend at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the organization kicked off its annual Farm Tour on September 18 on the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus. The tour brought together 75 attendees, including farmers and advocates from across the U.S., for a day of learning and conversation about the future of sustainable agriculture.

Forever Green field tour

The tour began with a welcome breakfast and brief remarks at the Bell Museum. The discussion centered on the University's commitment to agricultural innovation and the critical role of the Forever Green Initiative (FGI). This initiative is at the forefront of developing and improving winter-hardy annual and perennial crops designed to protect Minnesota's soil and water resources. These crops, such as Kernza and winter camelina, also create new economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities.

Exploring the fields

Following the breakfast, attendees departed for the research fields on campus for an in-depth tour hosted by Jake Jungers and Josh Gamble, both members of the FGI R&D executive team. The tour offered a firsthand look at how the University is working to integrate these new crops into existing farming systems. Farmers saw research in action, observing how these plants can help build a more resilient agricultural landscape while offering new markets and income streams.

A day of connection

The event underscored Farm Aid's mission to support and keep family farmers on the land. By showcasing the work of the Forever Green Initiative, the tour highlighted how science and innovation can work hand-in-hand with grassroots efforts to build a more sustainable and equitable food system for everyone.