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Being
a Kaufman Means Family, Music, and an Ag Education
By Barbara J. Smith
Three Kaufman names dot student rolls of the UI College of Agricultural and Life Sciences-Steve in agribusiness, Phil, agricultural systems management, and Joe, agricultural engineering with graduate studies in soil and water. Agricultural studies seem natural for this trio who are fifth generation family farmers in north-central Idaho, going back to Joseph F. Kaufmann who settled in Idaho in 1899, armed with a teaching certificate, an organ, piano, and stellar voice.
Growing up on the family farm in the Tammany area of Lewiston, Joe, Steve, and Phil are more than brothers; they are best friends. As children with over 2,000 acres to roam, they built forts by the creek, in an abandoned building, and under old forgotten implements. They were small enough to get lost in the tall grain fields, so mom put bright neon hats on their heads to keep track of them. Later they would till, plant, and harvest these same acres together, first under the direction of their dad, and then instinctively as seasoned farm workers.
Fred and Doris Kaufman's older sons credit rural farm living for building their work ethic, their parents for instilling moral values and importance of family. And they credit sharing the same bedroom as toddlers through high school for teaching them how to agree, disagree, and respect their differences. Fights were short-lived because no one wanted to be odd man out.
While they may look alike, talk alike, and walk alike, each has unique talents. Joe is the engineer, builder, inventor, and seamstress. Steve is the project manager and leader. Phil, the artist, prefers to paint in oils. Combine these talents with a family tradition of music and you have the Kaufman Brothers Band.
Kaufman music tradition dates to territorial Idaho
This Kaufman Brothers Band is not the first. Their father and his seven brothers had a band by the same name. In fact, all five generations of Idaho Kaufmans have a history of music and playing for organized events such as weddings, birthdays, and funerals, with great, great grandpa Joe starting as the church organist. The first Kaufmann musical instrument toted around Idaho Territory by cousin Cletus, a trail guide, was the harmonica, picked because it fit into a saddle bag and was easy to play while riding his horse or sitting around a camp fire.
The brothers featured here began performing publicly while in high school, where they excelled in academics, leadership, and music, all graduating with honors. They even cut a demo CD for an amateur competition that could have led to a professional recording contract. They placed second, so their amateur status is preserved.
Future plans for the three include careers in agriculture, with Steve and Phil planning to bring their agricultural industry experience back to the family farm. Upon completion of his graduate studies, Joe is open to where his agriculturally based degrees will take him.
For now, the brothers are enjoying their last few months together as students and as musicians in the current Kaufman Brothers Band, much in demand. And no, it is not just three Kaufmans up there on stage. Joining them is little brother Jeff on the fiddle. Whenever his fifth grade schedule allows, the scene-stealing 10-year-old jumps at the chance to play with his older brothers. He completes the "band of brothers" whose talents and bonds are tied to each other and generations of Idaho Kaufmans.
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