NOBLESVILLE, IND. – Willie Nelson and family took the stage near midnight for the final musical set of the 2023 Farm Aid Concert held in Noblesville, Indiana, Sept. 22-23. It was all you could hope for as a conclusion to the two-day event, according to Berleen Wobeter, a Tama County resident who along with her husband Pete operates a small cow/calf herd on their farm north of Toledo. Along with Willie, other Farm Aid founders, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and surprise guest Bob Dylan performed for an enthusiastic sold-out audience. Neil Young reminded everyone that Farm Aid began 37 years ago and the fight to save family farms is ongoing. He said we need to pay attention, be informed, and support family farmers with our purchasing dollars.

Wobeter attended as a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI), representing the voices of over 400 independent beef producers across the state who are organizing to get their concerns heard in Washington, D.C. Iowa CCI began statewide farm organizing during the 80s farm crisis and helped 200 family farmers save their farms. The Farm Aid event was attended by hundreds of other family farmers and grassroots advocates.

Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts performed with his band and donated 1 million dollars to Farm Aid to the cheers of a grateful crowd. Former running back Edgerrin Jones presented the check to Farm Aid organizers.

Wobeter spoke during the first day of Farm Aid events at the “People’s Hearing on the Farm Bill” where voices from around the country had an opportunity to share their priorities for the upcoming bill from their many unique farming perspectives. These concerns were heard and then used to craft a message that could be sent to policymakers in D.C. During her talk, Wobeter shared some life memories of cattle production on the farm followed by the important recognition that farm activity is impacted by government policy, rules, and regulations which reward some more than others. Specifically, she spoke about the need to support independent beef production by passing S.52 in the US Senate and HR 5081 in the House. These bipartisan bills would reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. One benefit among many from the passing of these bills would be to prevent large meatpackers from importing beef, reprocessing or repackaging and labeling it as a product of the U.S. thereby confusing consumers and lowering the price of beef for U.S. producers.

The interests of statewide beef producers were also represented when she spoke about the need to protect the Packers and Stockyard Act passed in 1921 and never fully implemented. Iowa producers believe the USDA needs to vigorously crack down on corporate meatpackers and rein in their abusive powers.

Hugh Espy of Iowa CCI was recognized for his decades-long career in organizing to build the power of everyday people in Iowa’s rural towns and communities when he was awarded the 2023 “Spirit of Farm Aid” award by Farm Aid program director, Shorlette Ammons at Farm Aid Eve activities. Guests at this evening event of food, music and fellowship were treated to unlimited offerings of delicious locally sourced foods and an opportunity to network with other like-minded folks.

Wobeter attended the Farm Aid event with Montezuma resident and Iowa CCI member Jen Sinkler. Both noted the wisdom offered by a speaker who advised that when talking with our policymakers we ask where they buy their food from, who they listen to when creating policy, and who is educating them. Together these women returned with a renewed commitment to the belief we are better when we work together and that there is much work to do to protect family farms, farmers, and our environment.