MANSFIELD, Mass. - On a day when all eyes focused on Willie Nelson, Neil Young and their Farm Aid brethren, a shy farmer from Brunswick reluctantly stole a small sliver of spotlight.
[Willie Nelson at Farm Aid]Willie Nelson at Farm Aid At a press briefing prior to the first Farm Aid concert in New England on Saturday, Brenna Chase found herself seated somewhat uncomfortably alongside Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and just a few chairs down from some of the biggest music stars in the world.
Not that she wasn't thrilled to be there, but Chase, 29, is far more comfortable digging in the dirt, raising animals and selling flowers at farmers' markets in Brunswick.
"I'm a little out of my element," she told an assembled group of media representatives and Farm Aid friends. "I was just feeding hogs this morning. Thank you for making me feel like the work I do is important."
Farm Aid put her on stage to address the media because she and her farming partner, Susan Meredith, run Little Creek Farm in Brunswick and represent both the success of Farm Aid and the hopeful future of small family farming in America.
Through grants provided by Farm Aid to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Chase has received training to become a farmer.
She and Meredith lease about 30 acres and raise hogs, chickens, hens, turkeys and ducks, and grow flowers. They sell everything locally. They've had their farm for a year, after working for other farmers from California to Connecticut for the past decade.
In addition to Nelson and Young, Saturday's concert included performances by John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Steve Earle, moe., the Pretenders, Arlo Guthrie and many others.
Among the highlights early in the day was a performance by rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, who received a sustained standing ovation after a performance that included "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" and "Great Balls of Fire."
At Farm Aid, the cause is never far from the music.
The 11-hour marathon event at the Comcast Center included testimonials, displays and recognition for model farmers. It also featured organic and locally grown food in its concession stands, which organizers said was a major accomplishment given the volume of food needed to serve the 20,000 or so people who showed up.
Full Story: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=211501&ac=PHnws
