Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid 2011 Date and Location Announced

Willie Nelson has just announced that Farm Aid 2011 will take place at Kansas City's new Livestrong Sporting Park on Saturday, Aug. 13. Not only will Nelson perform this year, so will board members Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp and Neil Young, with more performers to be announced at a later date. Farm Aid 2011 will be the first concert event at the new park.

"I'm looking forward to bringing my friends together in Kansas for the first time to honor family farmers," Nelson says in a press release. "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."

Kansas City Mayor Joe Reardon and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback are thrilled to have their state in the spotlight this time. While music is always the main even at Farm Aid, there will also be great food for sale and various activities to be found at the Farm Aid Homegrown Village. Activities include a chance to meet farmers and learn what their family farmers produce and the effort they put in to make the best product available.

"Farm Aid is a great inaugural concert," says Sporting Club CEO Robb Heineman. He adds, "This unique opportunity for the region is just the first of many great events we will host, and we are excited for Farm Aid to kick it off."

Carolyn Mugar, Executive Director of Farm Aid, says, "Willie, John, Neil and Dave stand up to say that our country needs family farmers, and Farm Aid 2011 is an opportunity for everyone to stand up with them. There is a strong culture of agriculture here in Kansas -- rural and urban -- and a growing movement to bring good food to everyone. We're proud to bring Farm Aid 2011 to the Sunflower State and shine a spotlight on the family farmers and ranchers whose hard work and innovations are essential for all of us."

Tickets are $29 for general admission. $39, $69 and $99 for reserved seats, and $149 for limited premium seats -- and they go on sale on Friday, May 20 at 10AM CT at Ticketmaster. You can also buy them by calling 1-800-745-3000. Special advance tickets can be purchased by Farm Aid members only on May 12. For more information on membership, head to their official site.

See a Farm Aid Moment With Willie Nelson and Steven Tyler