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Farm Aid

Farm Aid 2026 Spotlights Farm Bankruptcies Up 46% Amid Land Pressure

Farm Aid 2026 Spotlights Farm Bankruptcies Up 46% Amid Land Pressure

Virginia Beach – – September 26, 2026 -- Farm Aid 2026 drew a national spotlight to America's family farmers on Saturday, staged at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater as Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies rose 46% in 2025 and roughly 15,000 farms closed nationwide.

Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies climbed 46% in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of increases

The filing surge represents a sustained deterioration in farm finances rather than a single-year anomaly, with the closures translating into direct losses of local jobs, tax revenue and food-supply capacity across affected counties.

Farm Aid Co-Executive Director Ammons Named to Forbes 50 Over 50

Farm Aid Co-Executive Director Ammons Named to Forbes 50 Over 50

Cambridge, Mass. – September 24, 2026 -- Forbes has named Farm Aid Co-Executive Director and Program Director Shorlette Ammons to its 2026 50 Over 50: Impact list, recognizing her role in strengthening family farmers and rural food systems.

Forbes list marks sixth year honoring women over 50

The list, produced in partnership with Mika Brzezinski's Know Your Value initiative, is now in its sixth edition, celebrating women driving impact at age 50 and beyond. Ammons' selection cites her work addressing barriers facing family farmers, particularly Black, Indigenous and other farmers of color, and building farmer-led power within agricultural systems.