Governor Abigail Spanberger Welcomes Farm Aid 2026 to Virginia Beach

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger will attend Farm Aid 2026 in Virginia Beach on Saturday, September 26, as the annual music and food festival brings farmers, performing artists, advocates, and visitors together to celebrate and support family farmers.

Farm Aid 2026 will take place at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach and marks the fourth time the organization's annual festival has been held in Virginia since it was first organized in 1985. The festival will feature a full day of music, homegrown food featuring Virginia products, and agricultural experiences - including the HOMEGROWN Village, where festivalgoers can participate in hands-on activities focused on soil, water, energy, food, and farming.

"Virginia is proud to welcome Farm Aid and everyone from Virginia and across the country who is coming together in Virginia Beach this weekend," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "Agriculture is Virginia's largest private industry and an essential part of our economy, our communities, and our Commonwealth's identity. As family farmers continue to contend with extreme weather and trade disruption, Virginia is coming together to support the men and women who work every day to feed and fuel our communities."

Agriculture and forestry have a combined economic impact of $105 billion annually and support more than 490,000 jobs across the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, Governor Spanberger signed bipartisan legislation to create Virginia's first Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan to provide a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen and grow Virginia's agriculture and forestry industries.

"Farm Aid's mission speaks directly to the work we are doing in Virginia to strengthen our agriculture and forestry industries and ensure that our farmers have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. "Virginia's farmers are resilient, innovative, and deeply connected to the communities they serve. The Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan will help us build a strategic roadmap for the future of these industries, and events like Farm Aid create an important opportunity to listen to farmers, share ideas, and connect people with the work happening on Virginia's farms."

"Virginia's farmers, producers, and tourism assets are an essential part of our economy - from the producers who grow our food to the restaurants, markets, and other businesses that connect Virginia products and experiences with consumers," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. "Farm Aid gives us an opportunity to share that agritourism story with visitors from across the country through meaningful experiences."

Year-over-year, record-breaking growth in Virginia's tourism industry resulted in visitors spending $99 million per day in Virginia - directly supporting nearly 232,000 jobs and saving the average Virginia household $1,020 in state and local taxes last year. This success reflects Virginia's long-term path for tourism growth through the Commonwealth's Statewide Strategic Tourism Plan, which Governor Spanberger launched in April 2026. Developed in partnership with industry stakeholders across every region, the plan outlines a coordinated, data-driven strategy to strengthen Virginia's visitor economy over the next decade.

Saturday's Farm Aid festival will feature an all-star lineup, including Virginia's own Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson and Family, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, and John Mellencamp, along with Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Turnpike Troubadours, Lukas Nelson, and others.

For those unable to attend in person, CNN will broadcast Farm Aid 2026: Music Festival Live from 7 to 11 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $90 million since 1985 to support programs that help family farmers thrive, expand the Good Food Movement, and promote food from family farms.

For more information about Farm Aid 2026, visit FarmAid.org.

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