FARM AID co-founder Neil Young wins 1999 Patrick Lippert Rock the Vote
Award
* 02/23/99
PR Newswire
(Copyright (c) 1999, PR Newswire)
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks' Rock the Vote
honored FARM AID Co-founder Neil Young and his wife Pegi Young today for
their
activism. Neil Young, an outspoken supporter of family farmers, was
recognized at Rock the Vote's 6th Annual Patrick Lippert Awards at the
House
of Blues in Los Angeles. Both Neil Young and Pegi Young were cited for
their
work with the Bridge School, a program for the communicative and
educational
development of children with severe speech and physical impairments.
Along with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, Neil Young organized the
first
FARM AID concert in 1985, and has continued to serve on its board of
directors. The three co-founders anchor every FARM AID concert. The
longest-
running of the "concerts for causes," FARM AID has created an ongoing
support
network for family farmers.
"At every FARM AID concert, I count on Neil to speak his mind. Neil
doesn't
hold back when he blasts factory farms for polluting the water and soil.
He's
not afraid to point out Washington's farm policy failures. He's got
courage,
and I'm glad he's getting this award," said FARM AID president Willie
Nelson.
"Neil, Willie and I are not guys who give up easily. FARM AID is our
way of
fighting for family farmers." said John Mellencamp.
"I hope this award helps put a spotlight on family farmers who struggle
so
hard to hold onto the land," said FARM AID Executive Director Carolyn
Mugar.
"Rock the Vote's new focus on community activism is exactly what FARM AID
promotes. The only way we'll save family farms is when people say 'no' to
factory farms and insist on safe food grown locally by family farmers."
Mugar lauded Neil Young and his co-founders for their longstanding
commitment. "Artists like Neil, Willie, and John inspire people to dig in
and
stay focused. The fight for family farmers is for safe food, the
environment,
and preserving the rural fabric of our nation. Neil doesn't give up on
important goals like these."
Mugar said in addition to years spent speaking out and supporting farm
families against industrial agriculture, Neil delivers the gift of an
extraordinary performance every year at the FARM AID concert. "Whether
he's
jamming with Phish, or reuniting with old friends like David Crosby, or
joining Willie on stage, Neil always has the crowd transfixed," said
Mugar.
Long time friend and Nebraska family farmer Corky Jones thanked Neil
Young
for his loyalty to farmers. "No one deserves this award more than Neil.
I
love to see Neil get fired up. It gives farmers like me the extra fight
we
need to stay on another season. It gives us hope."
* FARM AID's annual concert is televised live on CMT: Country Music
Television. More than $15 million in FARM AID grants has been distributed
to
farm and rural service organizations across the country. Donors may call
1-800-FARM AID to make donations or to receive additional information.
/CONTACT: Brenda K. Foster, 202-331-4323, for FARM AID/
