Neil Young [ tickets ] and his wife Pegi were honored at a Tuesday (2/23) ceremony hosted by Rock The Vote at the House of Blues in West Hollywood. The couple were recognized for their continued work with the Bridge School and Neil Young was honored for his founding role and continuing work with the Farm Aid organization at the 6th annual Patrick Lippert Awards.

A press release from Farm Aid quoted fellow Farm Aid founder Willie Nelson as saying, ''At every Farm Aid concert, I count on Neil to speak his mind. Neil doesn't hold back when he blasts factory farms for polluting the water and soil. He's not afraid to point out Washington's farm policy failures. He's got courage, and I'm glad he's getting this award.''

Young, Nelson and John Mellencamp founded Farm Aid in 1985 to help support family farmers against legislation and other factors that have set the stage for continued financial hardship among family farms and an increase in corporate-owned factory farms.

Wyclef Jean was also honored at the ceremony for his work with and donations to underpriveledged children.

Young has surfaced in the news of late as rumors about a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young reunion have begun to turn into solid plans. Young is said to have been involved in recording sessions with the rest of the group, and various sources point to plans for a summer tour.

Details on all CSNY developments have been slippery, and reunion plans are rumored to be affecting release plans for a Young acoustic album as well as the first installment of a Young boxed set.

What is certain is that Young last week added two Chicago shows to his solo acoustic itinerary. He'll play the Rosemont Theatre on April 30th and May 1st, over a month after the previous tour stop, where he'll play a pair of shows at Las Vegas' Hard Rock Hotel.

Daily reports from the Young rumor mill as well as verified developments are available at the fan-run HyperRust web site.