Farm Aid has activated its Family Farm Disaster Fund to aid in the immediate relief effort for family farmers in the South, Midwest and Northeast affected by devastating tornadoes and severe storms. Farm Aid President Willie Nelson says – at Farm Aid, we are doing everything in our power to deliver immediate support to family farmers, getting them back on the land and growing good food for all of us.

Recent reports indicate that 2011 has been the deadliest year for tornadoes in almost 60 years, and tornado season is only half over. Farmers along the Mississippi River have lost their fields and homes to record flooding. Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers from the Southeast to the West are dealing with historic drought conditions. And most recently, farmers in the Northeast have also been affected by heavy rains and flooding.

Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar says – these farms serve as a critical part of our nation’s backbone, and we strive to help them in this time of need, as they have served the needs of our nation’s people for decades.

Farm Aid 2011, the organization’s 26th annual benefit concert, will be held in Kansas, City, Kansas on August 13. Every dollar raised supports local farm groups, churches and rural organizations that get funds as quickly as possible to farmers in the impacted regions.