Rocker Neil Young offers support to Vermont's genetically modified organism food labeling law

Rocker Neil Young is lending his support to Vermont's efforts to label foods containing genetically modified ingredients.

Young performed in concert Sunday at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction. He appeared earlier with Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin and donated $100,000 to a fund devoted to defending Vermont's genetically modified organism labeling law from legal challenges.

Young has stepped up his activism on agricultural issues and makes reference to the Vermont law in one of the songs on his new album, "The Monsanto Years."

Monsanto Co. officials say Young is being caught up in myths about the sustainable-agriculture firm.

Young's donation brings the total in the Vermont Food Fight Fund to $550,000. Attorney General Bill Sorrell has said Vermont may need up to $8 million to fight the legal challenges.