Fillmore County resident Bonnie Haugen wears many hats – wife, mother, grandmother, regenerative grazing dairy farmer, steward of the land, speaker, volunteer, advocate, educator, and more.
This story begins with a recent highlight in Haugen’s life before looking back on her many accomplishments as a grazing dairy farmer. Among her life’s memorable moments, being invited to speak at Farm Aid 40 surely stands out as one of the most special.
The 40th annual Farm Aid concert, held this past September at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, not only allowed attendees to enjoy music from legends, it also allowed them to hear directly from farmers, people like Haugen and her husband, whose stories and experiences are at the heart of the organization’s mission.
Founded in 1985 by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young, Farm Aid began as a benefit concert to raise awareness and funds for family farmers facing financial hardship. Since then, the nonprofit has raised millions of dollars and helped countless family farmers stay on their land.
Before the event, a Farm Aid crew visited the Haugens’ farm to capture video footage, photos, and interviews, and learn more about the family’s commitment to sustainable grazing and soil health. In the video, Haugen emphasized the importance of awareness and action. “We need people to be aware,” she said, “so they can talk to their representative and senators to make policies that will work for all farmers, not just the big ones.”
Each farmer was invited on stage, and after their video was shown, they were asked one question. Haugen’s question was in regard to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). Haugen has long been involved in advocating for responsible farming practices. One notable effort included opposing a proposed CAFO in southern Fillmore County that would have housed 5,000 sows. “I think that was a success,” she said with a smile.
When the time came, Haugen also read a heartfelt poem she wrote specifically for this moment. Looking directly at the audience and then Farm Aid Founder and President Willie Nelson, she read her poem. Her words moved the crowd, earning her multiple standing ovations-and a kiss blown from Nelson himself.
Here is the poem she shared at Farm Aid:
I believe that farming is everybody’s bread, butter, and water.
What we do on our farm affects water quality and quantity, as well as food for everyone.
Thank you not only for your time and effort on this amazing concert, which brings good help to farmers like me … us.
Thank you for your songs, we are encouraged by while we pull calves, ride in the tractor doing field work, moooove our livestock to a new grazing paddock or drive in our town clothes to another farm meeting.
Your voices and words have inspired, calmed, and reminded me that I am not alone. I am rejuvenated by your dreams, music and thoughts.
When I go “On the Road Again,” I will be buying my childhood farm,
While I am searching for that “Heart of Gold,”
You say “Don’t Drink the Water” because
I am devastated to see the “Rain on the Scarecrow.”
And to bring it home, we know these times, they are a changing.
Haugen and her husband Vance purchased their farm between Canton and Mabel in 1993, founding Springside Farm, a rotational grazing dairy. Their three children have all played an active role on the farm, and now their son Olaf manages the farm. This has allowed the Haugens to devote more time to advocacy and to support the future of small farms in Fillmore County.
Reflection on her early days at Springside Farm, Bonnie recalled sitting on a hill one afternoon, watching her herd graze. It dawned on her that these beautiful, rolling, and sometimes fragile hills had not always been used for crops. She thought about how farming practices could better respect the land.
Whether Haugen is on the farm or speaking to others, she continues to advocate for family farmers and a healthy future for rural Minnesota.
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