Hug Your Farmer 2025: A Night of Music, Community, and Support for Vermont’s Farmers

What a night to remember.

Hug Your Farmer filled the Flynn’s stage with horns, harmonies, fiddle, funk—and so much heart—bringing our community together in a powerful celebration of Vermont’s farmers. From soulful tributes to Otis and Aretha to rootsy nods to Bill Monroe and The Band, this revival-style concert reminded us how music can lift our spirits while grounding us in shared purpose.

After a year marked by drought, funding cuts, and rising costs, Vermont’s farmers need our support more than ever. And thanks to everyone who showed up, donated, and cheered them on, they felt it.

Because of this incredible community, over $78,000 was raised for Vermont farmers—direct support that will make a real difference across our local food system.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this night possible:

• The Flynn for lending their incredible stage
• Select Design for generously underwriting the event
• Our fabulous emcee, Rich Price
• Bob Wagner for once again bringing together an unforgettable lineup of musicians
• The musicians who shared their incredible talent in support of our farmers
• Myles David Jewell for capturing the night and creating the beautiful video above

Every ticket sold, every song played, and every moment shared helped strengthen Vermont’s farms.

The 2025 Hug Your Farmer Grants were awarded to:

• $19,619 to NOFA-VT’s Vermont Farmer Emergency Fund, providing farmers with the needed cash flow in times of an emergency to help them recover and ultimately become more resilient farmers.
• $19,619 to Center for an Agricultural Economy’s Vermont Farm Fund. The Farm Fund is a vital resource for local agriculture and a community of farmers lending money to farmers when it is most needed, in a timely manner, and without a lot of red tape.
• $19,619 to Vermont Farmers Food Center that purchases directly from Rutland area farms to increase access and availability of locally produced food in the region by expanding markets and market access, aggregation, and distribution of locally produced and value added agricultural products.
• $10,000 to Farm First supporting farmer programs and stipends. Farm First is a free, Vermont-based program providing farmers and their families with support, resources and information to reduce stress.
• $10,000 to AALV supporting the New Farm for New Americans, a community-based gardening and agricultural program for refugees and immigrants.

To our farmers: We see you. We care about you. And we’re proud to stand with you. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Vermont.

The Hug Your Farmer Benefit Concert is a testament to what we can achieve together—but the work doesn’t stop here.

Discover how your generosity can support Vermont’s communities in building a stronger, more resilient future.