Congratulations to Bonnie Mohr of Glencoe, Minn.for being named the Holstein Foundation’s 2011 Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI) Distinguished Alumni Leader Award honoree.
This award annually recognizes YDLI alumni who have made notable contributions and utilized skills gained during their YDLI participation for the betterment of the dairy industry. Mohr was a member of YDLI’s inaugural class held in 1994 and 1995.
“An important benefit I took away from YDLI was the resources and networking opportunities,” said Mohr. “I think those are two very important things, contacts and ideas. There are people I met at YDLI that I would have never met otherwise.”
Mohr is a renowned dairy artist who has been involved with the dairy industry her entire life. Today, she, her husband, John, and their five children own and operate Glenmark Genetics, which is also the home of and provides inspiration for Bonnie’s art studio. The Mohr’s Registered Holstein farm provides numerous opportunities to reach consumers, seeing an average of 500 to 1,000 guests annually. She has had the honor of visiting with people from elementary school children to international visitors, and groups ranging from Teachers’ Associations and various community organizations, to the 3,000 dairy enthusiasts who attended a state June Dairy Day event held in 2000 on their farm. Bonnie and her family have been long time members of Holstein Association USA, the Minnesota Holstein Association, and the McLeod County Holstein Association.
Mohr has used her talents as an artist to reach those outside of agriculture, as well as for the benefit of agricultural organizations. She created a painting for the Holstein Foundation, “The Beautiful Cow,” which was sold at the 2010 National Holstein Convention and raised $80,000 for the Holstein Foundation’s Dairy Leaders for Tomorrow Campaign.
“I think any time you’re involved in an industry organization that you love and appreciate, it instills a want or desire to give back,” said Mohr. “Because of this life long journey and benefits I have derived from the dairy industry – I realized I had the opportunity to ‘give back’ through my painting at the 2010 Convention. I believe in the power of each person playing a part to make a worthy contribution in life, because we all have something different to give. Paintings are my way of giving back.”
Source: Holstein Foundation