Dylan is central to Farm Aid lore but very rarely performs at the event. The origin of Farm Aid was sparked by an onstage comment Dylan had made in 1985, Farm Aid organizer Willie Nelson has said. Dylan performed at the inaugural Farm Aid in 1985 and via satellite for the 1986 concert but had not appeared on the Farm Aid stage again till a surprise appearance in 2023. Farm Aid expressed support for the striking union workers, who ultimately reached an agreement with the university to end the strike last weekend. Tickets to the all-day Farm Aid concert are still available online at farmaid40.org .