Nelson: U.S. Farms Key to America

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Willie Nelson, who brought a flag-waving crowd to its feet with "This Land Is Your Land'' at last Saturday's Farm Aid concert, says keeping family farms strong will keep America strong.
"I think it's important to take care of the people who grow our food,'' said Nelson, who co-founded Farm Aid in 1985 with John Mellencamp and Neil Young.

The nonprofit group's 14th benefit concert in 16 years highlighted the role of American farmers in helping the nation fight terrorism.
"We're at a moment when a lot of people are asking what is America, what represents America,'' said Dave Matthews, one of the performers. "Certainly, I think that the family farm is a main ingredient of what made America.''

Nelson wants the federal government to renew support farmers, oil, and steel producers received during World War II - special subsidies to help them cover production and labor costs.

"Well, it's wartime again, let's bring it back,'' he said.

Farm Aid organizers called this year's event a "Concert for America,'' and pledged money to rebuild farmers' markets that were destroyed near the World Trade Center in New York in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Along with Matthews and the founders, last Saturday's performers included Martina McBride, Arlo Guthrie, and the Doobie Brothers.