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National Farmers Union (NFU) today sent a letter to the U.S. House and Senate, urging lawmakers to support the Trade Review Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation would reassert Congressional authority to review and approve any new tariffs imposed by the administration. "We need congressional oversight of tariffs and trade policy to ensure measures are thoughtful and positively impact the agriculture economy. Family farmers and ranchers are facing historic levels of uncertainty, and the...
A fun night of ranching action was held on Friday, April 18 at Smilin' D Arena in Colfax Township. Dubbed the Toby Keith Tribute Ranch Rodeo, the Smilin' D Arena family hosted a showcase of "true Western skill and teamwork" with both youth and adult participants. The arena floor's corral featured a series of traditional ranch racing challenges that tested both riders and their horses. Events included trailer loading, team sorting, team penning and team doctoring. The attached video features one...
During the Toby Keith Tribute Ranch Rode held at Smilin' D Arena in Colfax Township on April 18, a few sessions were held featuring old-fashioned tug-of-war competitions. The attached video features youth gathered on the arena floor taking on a handful of the adult volunteers. Additional coverage of Smilin' D Arena is featured frequently in the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper. To see upcoming events at Smilin' D Arena, click over to their website: https://smilindarena.com/even...
A full house was on hand on Saturday, March 29 for the Lucky Buck Rodeo at Smilin' D Arena in Colfax Township. The attached video features one of the final bull riding attempts of the evening. Smilin' D Arena is a remarkable location with an inviting, friendly atmosphere which makes you want to return to again and again. They have a great selection of food and drink options. All very family friendly! To see their upcoming events, click over to their website at https://smilindarena.com/events....
The Smilin' D Arena hosted back-to-back Thrills and Spills night with dirt bike racing as the feature event on Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21. Over a dozen competitors were on hand for the first night of racing on Thursday. The attached video features rider introductions that same night. To view the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper SmugMug photo gallery from this event, click on this short link: https://shorturl.at/qnVtZ. To see the full list of upcoming events at Smilin' D Arena, click...
On Saturday, March 8, 12 draft horse teams competed in a “Here Comes the Boom" draft horse pull competition at Smilin' D Arena in Colfax Township. One of the final pulls of the night is featured in the attached video....
The Smilin' D Arena in Colfax Township is holding back-to-back dirt bike racing nights on Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission for high school-level students and adults is just $15. Children ages 12 and under have free admission. Over a dozen competitors were on hand for the first night of racing on Thursday. An attached video features part of one of the races in the youngest division. To view the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper SmugMug photo gallery from...
March 5 press release Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) joined Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-16) and Angie Craig (MN-02) in reintroducing the Rebuild America's Health Care Schools Act. This legislation will help support and provide needed relief to hospital-based nursing schools and allied health education (NAHE) programs. "There is no denying the workforce shortage in the healthcare industry and I am always looking for ways to change that. One mechanism is through Federal Nursing and...
Attention irrigators! Pope SWCD is co-hosting the annual Irrigators Clinic to be held on Tuesday, March 25th, from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Spicer Legion (155 Lake Ave S.). Registration is free and includes a meal of chicken and meatballs with sides, provided you register by Tuesday, MARCH 11. Kandiyohi SWCD will host the clinic this year. To register, visit http://www.kandiyohiswcd.org or call the Kandiyohi SWCD at 320-403-4350. Whether you're an experienced irrigator or new to the field, this...
On Friday, March 7, the Smilin' D Arena in Colfax Township, rural Belgrade, hosted the Elvira Shuffle and Freaky Friday Round Robin. This event was straight up cattle sorting designed for both youth and adult riders of varying experience. See more in the attached video, which features Bruce Terhaar and his granddaughter Kinzee Jenniges in the Freak Friday division that night. The Smilin' D Arena opened to the public in the fall of 2024. It is described as follows (from their website): "Nestled...
Consolidation in agriculture and restrictions on farmers’ rights when it comes to repairing their own equipment will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) town hall meeting featuring Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday, March 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at 57002 180th Street in rural Donnelly. Farmers and other rural residents are invited to take part in this discussion, but space is limited. To reserve a spot, see https://bit.ly/Ellisontownhall or contact LSP western M...
Near the southern side of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper's coverage area, a mecca of countrywestern and rural America values has been built in the form of Smilin' D Arena. This facility hosts a wide variety of entertainment events and also serves as an indoor location for equine sports and equine sports training. It is located in the heart of Colfax Township in northern Kandiyohi County. During the final hours of January 2025, Hell Country Truckers performed live music at Smilin' D Arena....
Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) President Gary Wertish spoke against across-the-board tariffs during a Friday morning (February 7) press conference hosted by Minnesota’s senior Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. They were joined by Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council President Dan McConnell. President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on China and has stayed for 30 days a 25 percent additional tariff on Canada and Mexico. Energy resources from Canada will h...
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, State Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) met with constituents from Douglas and Stearns counties who came down to the Minnesota State Capitol for the 2025 MCCL March for Life. Hundreds of Minnesotans participated in the event, advocating for the protection of the unborn and the sanctity of life. Senator Westrom expressed his gratitude to those who traveled to St. Paul to take part in the march, commending their dedication to this important cause. "It was inspiring to...
On Friday, January 31, the Hell Country Truckers band performed as the second of two acts at a dance hosted by the Smilin' D Arena and Events Center in Colfax Township. The attached video features the band performing the hit 1992 song "Chattahoochee" by Alan Jackson. The website for Smilin D' Arena is https://smilindarena.com....
The 2025 Minnesota legislative session convenes tomorrow, and Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is preparing to advocate for a strong agriculture budget, affordable healthcare, support for beginning farmers and other priorities defined by our members. “As a grassroots organization, we’ll be focused on priorities established by members at our state convention in November,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “At a basic level, lawmakers are going to have to come together to pass a new two-year budget...
The Pope County Museum is currently hosting the traveling WW1 exhibit – “How the Great War Hit Home in West Central Minnesota” now through February 1. Travel back in time to World War I, and learn about the role west central Minnesota played in one of the most influential, and devastating, worldwide conflicts of the 21st century. The West Central Minnesota Historical Association’s traveling exhibit on World War I is on display at the Pope County Museum through Feb. 1 during regular operating hou...
Coming to East Norway Lake Lutheran church in rural Pennock/New London! On Saturday, December 14 at 3 p.m. (16270 68th Street NW, New London 56273) with a round of Christmas carol singing. After the sing-along, cookes/coffee/cocoa will be served in the fellowship hall with free-will offering. • Bring or meet your family, friends and neighbors to this festive start of the Christmas season! • Stay for treats! - and - pick up some goodies at the bake sale. • Be home before dark! Hope to see you t...
On Sunday, December 1 in Arctander Township, the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association hosted their annual Advent worship service at the old log church. Attendance surpassed 50 (getting to 53 by one count) on a day when outdoor temperatures struggled to hit 10 degrees. The NLLHA built the log church replica and an adjacent museum to remember and honor the Norwegian pioneers who settled the Norway Lake community in the latter part of the 19th century. Construction of the log church and...
On Sunday, December 1, the public is invited to the Advent Worship service at the old log church at 2 p.m. The event is hosted by the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association (NLLHA), which built the log church and an adjacent museum to remember and honor the Norwegian pioneers who settled the Norway Lake community in the latter part of the 19th century. Construction of the log church and museum complex began in 1997-1998. The log church replica was dedicated in August 1999. The attached...
Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members from across the state will gather Nov. 22-24 for the 83rd annual Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention. The convention will be held at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast, 1330 Industrial Blvd. N.E., Minneapolis. The event begins on Friday afternoon with panel discussions. The discussions focus on food regulations surrounding selling products direct from the farm, finding funding for projects on your farm and what weather trends mean for...
Folk, gospel, bluegrass and children's songs will be featured at a community sing-a-long at East Norway Lake Lutheran Church (ENLLC) in rural New London on Saturday, October 12 at 4 p.m. The event is FREE and people of all ages are welcome. This event is designed to build community and a common repertoire of favorite songs such as "Puff, the Magic Dragon," "If I Had a Hammer," "I'll Fly Away," "Old McDonald" and "My Grandfather's Clock." Music leaders include Dempsey Schroeder, Maggie Harp and...
The publisher's family enjoyed spending Sunday, September 29 at the Renaissance Festival in rural Shakopee. The day featured wide-open sunshine, high temperatures and dense crowds at times, but it was a trip well worth it. Attached is a video of live music performed at the Renaissance Festival that day. This group of singers were in the printing press building on the southeastern corner of the festival grounds....
Attached here is another video from the Renaissance Festival that was recorded by the Bonanza Valley Voice publisher on Sunday, September 29. The Renaissance Festival is held each year in September at a large, sprawling rural acreage near Shakopee. In this video, bagpipe music is played by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Light additional coverage in a publisher column format was published on page 11 of the October 3 issue of The Voice....
The Honebrink family and the staff of Brink's Beer Joint in Swift Falls hosted a wonderful, fun-filled and family-friendly Turkey Fest on Saturday, September 21. Part of the activities included a parade with local businesses, first responders plus State Representative Paul Anderson of Starbuck. The attached video features the parade. Additional coverage was published in the September 26 issue of the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper....
