Redwood Falls, Minn. —About seven years ago, the Jeff and Kris Tauer family of rural Morgan opted to try something new as a family.
That decision has certainly paid off, as the family’s involvement in the Redwood County 4-H program recently hit a high water mark when the Tauers were named the 2011 4-H family of the year.
According to Kris, it was actually an interest expressed by their son, Jonathan which led to the decision to join 4-H.
Neither Kris nor Jeff were involved in 4-H growing up, but the entire family has certainly made up for that by being involved as a family.
“The people in 4-H are a great group,”?said Jeff. “4-H is very family oriented.”
That is what the Tauers enjoy most about being involved in 4-H –?the opportunity they have to do the activities together as a family. There are certainly a number of those activities available for them, too.
Kris said she figures during the busiest times of the 4-H year the family may be gone three nights a week doing different things, whether that is going to meetings as members of the Golden Gophers 4-H Club or helping prepare for shows, such as those related to the horse and dog project.
It is in those two areas where the family has taken interest.
Kris has taken on the role of leader for the horse project, which means doing everything from getting the horse show ready for the state fair to helping youth who are interested in getting involved in the project.
Both Jonathan and Michael are involved with the horse project, and both consider it one of the projects they enjoy most.
The Tauers raise Morgans as a family, which made taking on a leadership role in the horse project a natural fit.
“I?just like horses,” said Michael, adding he is also involved in the dog, rabbit, photography and wood science projects.
Older brother Jonathan is also involved in both the horse and dog projects and has had the chance to take on added youth leadership roles not only in those project areas but also as an ambassador. He is also in his second year as treasurer for the Redwood County 4-H federation and has served in leadership roles at the club level.
Jeff took involvement to the next level this year when he became one of the contractors involved in the construction of the addition to the food stand at the fair.
He also took on a new role as a member of the county fair board this year. He said he is looking forward to being a representative on the board in developing the relationship between the board and the 4-H program.
The Tauers said they were very surprised when they were named the family of the year.
“It’s a huge honor,” said Kris. “It was very unexpected.”
Jeff added there are certainly plenty of other families who are worthy of the recognition.
The Tauers encouraged other families to come out and give 4-H a try. They are certainly glad they did.
By: Troy Krause, Redwood Gazette
Originally posted December 27, 2011; www.redwoodfallsgazette.com
To learn more about 4-H and to get involved go to http://www.4-h.org/
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