BonnieMohrknowsthevalueofhardwork.Raisedonafamilydairyfarm,therewasnoescapingit.Yet,Bonniefoundjoyandprideinworkingwiththecows,enjoyednature,andexperiencedwhatshecalled,“aperfectchildhood.”Herhumblebutproudbeginningledtowell-deservedinternationalrecognitionandprestige,bothasafarmerandanartist.Bonnieisthetextbookexampleofhowhardworkanddeterminationcanpayoff.

WhileattendingNewUlmHighSchool,BonniebecamethefirstfemalepresidentoftheNewUlmFFA,andshowedcowsattheMinnesotaStateFairexhibitingagrandchampion.Bonniegraduatedfromhighschoolin1980andwentontoattendUniversityofMinnesota,Wasecawhereshereceiveda

doublemajorinAgriculturalProductionandAgriculturalCommunications.Aftergraduation,shetookonjobsaroundtheareainradioandpublishing.In1988,shebegandairyfarmingwithherhusbandJohnandbegandevelopingherartcareer.

Bonniepaintswhatsheknows.Cows.Sheisgiftedatcapturingtheirpersonalitiesandessence,andtheworldhastakennotice.Bonniehaspaintedover300oilpaintings,somecommissionedforagriculturalcompanies,someforexhibitions,andstillothersasdonationsthathaveearnedthousandsofdollarsfordifferentorganizations,includingonethatraised$85,000fortheNationalHolsteinFoundation.Shebeginsherworkdaysat4AMeverymorning,beforeherhusbandandfivechildren,andusesthequiet,peacefultimeofthedaytopaint.HernaturaltalentandloveforpaintingisevidentineachworkshecreatesandhasexpandedintothearenaofInspirationalartaswellasRuralAmerican.

Bonniemaybebusywithpainting,beingadedicatedmother,andhelpingonthefarm,butshefindstimetovolunteeraswell.ShehasservedoncommitteesatHolyFamilyCatholicChurchandSchool,volunteeredasaclassroomaidatSt.Pius,FirstLutheran,andHolyFamily,hostedgroupsofschoolchildrenattheirfarm,andisactivewith4H.Herfarmhasservedasahostfamilyfortravelingstudentsforsevenyears.TheyalsohostedinternationaltraineesfromaroundtheworldthroughCommunicatingforAgriculture.Bonnieknowsallaboutgivingbackandshedoesitwithgrace.

NewUlmisproudofBonnieMohr.Shehasspentherlifecreating,givingback,andsharingknowledgeandwisdomwithherfamily,community,andultimately,theworld.Weareinspiredbywhatshehasdoneandthankfulshefoundherpath.SaysBonnie,“ThisisthepaththatGodwantedforme.IhavebecomewhoIam,notbychance,butbecausethiswashisplanforme.Ibelieveweareallgivenskillsandabilities;whatwedowiththemisuptoeachofus.”