John Deere to Host Virtual Benefit Concert to Support American Farmers Struggling During the Pandemic

Perri Ormont Blumberg
·2 min read

Kevin Mazur / Contributor / Getty Images

Ready to get grooving from your couch? Today, Deere & Company announced that they're hosting a benefit concert to support their nonprofit partner, Farm Rescue, on Wednesday, December 9 at 8 p.m. EST, livestreamed on YouTube. Billed as "The Farm Must Go On by John Deere," all funds raised from the show will help support Farm Rescue's mission to help family farmers suffering from major illness, injury, or natural disaster tend to or harvest their crops.

For the event, country music stars Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Travis Denning, and Tyler Farr will perform live from the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville. Though the concert is free to watch, attendees are encouraged to make a donation to help Farm Rescue.

“The impact of COVID-19 has been felt by everyone throughout the country and around the world. Farmers are no exception,” said Bill Gross, President and Founder of Farm Rescue, in a company press release. “COVID highlights the vulnerability of family farms—when something unpredicted happens, not only is the family carrying that health burden, but also the pressure to produce, and the stresses of maintaining a viable operation.” Indeed, among the many industries hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, farming certainly is taking a tough blow.

“John Deere and Farm Rescue share something special—our work is driven by a commitment to empower the livelihoods of farmers. For John Deere, it’s about the machines, technologies, and services that enable farmers to become more profitable and sustainable, despite the challenges and uncertainty they face,” said Nate Clark, president of the John Deere Foundation, in the same media statement. “For Farm Rescue, it’s providing a rich system of support including machines and volunteers that lend a hand when farmers and their families face an unexpected situation that threatens their very livelihoods.”

For more livestreaming details or to make a donation now, visit JohnDeere.com/TheFarmMustGoOn.

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“I want them to be able to see where hard work and dedication leads.”

Of course, virtual concerts are no substitute for the joy of singing along at the top of your lungs in person, but until we can get back safely to that, we think—to lift a line from Dustin Lynch—this is "where it's at." Tell all your fellow country fan friends to mark their calendars.