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.
Ammons joined Farm Aid in 2022, rose to co-executive director in 2025
Ammons became Farm Aid's program director in 2022 after years of work in community-based food systems and rural advocacy. She was elevated to co-executive director in 2025, sharing leadership duties with Communications Director Jennifer Fahy. Prior roles include work with the Wayne Food Initiative on local food systems and service as a children's librarian at Wayne County Public Library in North Carolina.
Ammons also sits on the board of the Land Loss Prevention Project, an organization focused on preserving Black-owned family farmland in North Carolina.
Farm Aid 2026 festival set for Sept. 26 in Virginia Beach
Ammons will appear at Farm Aid 2026 in Virginia Beach, Va., on Saturday, Sept. 26, joining farmers, artists and advocates. Tickets range from $85 to $350, available through the festival's official channels and the amphitheater box office, which operates Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A related free event, the Farm Aid Family Reunion "We the Farmers" Takeover, will run Friday, Sept. 25, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in partnership with the Neptune Festival, featuring music, dance and farmer storytelling ahead of the main festival.
Farm Aid has raised more than $90 million since 1985
Since its founding in 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $90 million through festivals supported by artists including Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price and Nathaniel Rateliff. The funds support programs aimed at helping farmers remain on their land and expanding the reach of the Good Food Movement.