Yallwire News

Farm Aid - the annual benefit concert that started with Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young 26 years ago in an effort to raise money for family-owned farms - is getting a new home.

After spending the first quarter century in various states including Illinois, Nebraska, Indiana and Wisconsin, the star-studded musical event heads to Kansas this year.

"I'm looking forward to bring my friends together in Kansas for the first time to honor family farmers," says Willie [AllAccess.com]. "Farm Aid celebrates the independent family farmers and ranchers who make this country strong, and we know we can only fix the challenges our country faces with the know-how of family farmers."

The event will take place August 13 at the newly-built LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City. Willie, John and Neil will be joined by frequent Farm Aid guest Dave Matthews on the Farm Aid stage, with more artists to be announced soon.

Willie's efforts for the organization bring in some of music's biggest celebrities every year, including Kenny Chesney, Jason Mraz, Jamey Johnson, Amos Lee and Norah Jones.

"It is very important we point out that I think Willie should get Nobel Peace Prize for Farm Aid," John Mellencamp insists. "This thing has been going on 25 years...I am very proud of Willie. Whoever does this Nobel Peace Prize should look at WIllie Nelson. My contribution is from the neck down. Willie is the brains behind the outfit."

The 78-year-old isn't showing any signs of slowing down. He kicks off his Country Throwdown tour, which includes Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Craig Campbell and Jack Ingram, on May 27, and will play 25 shows before wrapping up on July 4th in Ft. Worth, TX.