RICHLAND, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Country star Luke Bryan will be bringing his farm tour to Richland at Stafford Farms this Friday, which is expected to draw around 20,000 attendees.
With this tour, Bryan is drawing attention to the crucial role farmers play in the United States.
“I sing a lot about life on the farm, that’s because I know the important role farmers play in our lives,” Bryan said in an official video. “Without American farmers, none of us would have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food. Farming is tough work, but our farmers are passionate about helping to feed America and the world.”
Bryan has once again teamed up with global Life Sciences company Bayer, who is the title sponsor of the show.
“Bayer and I know that the American farmers deserve a big thank you,” Bryan said.
Bayer External Communications Specialist Carolyn Nagle says Bayer and Bryan will be running a campaign to donate meals to hungry families through citizen participation.
“Every time someone uses the hashtag #HeresToTheFarmer on their social media channel, Bayer will donate a meal from Feeding America,” Nagle said. “Our goal this year is hopefully to donate one million meals.”
#HeresToTheFarmer can be used through Twitter and other social media outlets.
Nagle says the campaign has become more and more successful through the years.
“The first year, we actually did around 300,000 meals, that was our first goal,” Nagle said. “Then we bumped it up to about 500,000, and about three years ago, we did one million meals. Since we’ve started the program, we’ve donated close to three million meals.”
Bayer will also be presenting a $2,000 grant to Food Bank of South Central Michigan during the concert Friday, which will help provide 12,000 meals.
Meanwhile, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office is alerting citizens to suggested routes to take to the concert, all of which are available online.
In response to concerns over the EEE virus, the concert field has been sprayed for mosquitoes. However, attendees are still encouraged to use bug spray.
Parking for the concert will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, with the concert gates opening at 5 p.m. Parking passes can be purchased online in advance for $5 or the day of for $20.
The Kalamazoo Sheriff’s County has released a full list of “Do’s and Don’ts” that attendees should be aware of, which is also available online.
