Herb Tauchen knows what it means to work hard, and that ethic has been passed down to his six sons and four daughters.
“Our kids all learned how to work,” he said. “None of them have ever had a problem finding work.”
Four sons — Gary, Alan, Gregory and Stephen — are involved in Tauchen Harmony Valley Inc. farm outside Bonduel.
Tauchen was raised on an 80-acre farm in Dorchester. He earned a degree in agriculture education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Tauchen worked for the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service for 33 years. His first job was in Barron County for about two years. Then he was sent to Waupaca County, where he bought a farm and milked 14 cows. After nine years, Tauchen came to work in Shawano and Menominee counties, where he helped farmers plan erosion control, terracing, land drainage, etc.
“I worked with lots of farmers,” he said.
Tauchen and his wife of 62 years, Marlys, bought an 80-acre farm on Lakeview Road between Cecil and Shawano. They didn’t have milk cows, but raised and sold heifers. As the children grew, they were involved in 4-H and FFA, so horses, sheep, pigs and chickens were added.
“They all wanted different projects,” Herb Tauchen said. “We lived at the fair.”
Alan wanted to farm, so Tauchen found the Louis Brunner farm east of Bonduel. When Marlys came back from a trip to Minneapolis to pick up a daughter, Herb came running to the car to give her the news.
“I thought he missed me,” Marlys laughed.
They purchased the farm in 1976, starting with 40 cows and 180 acres. Eventually Gary, Stephen and Gregory joined in the farm, which now has 1,050 cows.
“When farm land became available, we added it,” Tauchen said.
They own 1,500 acres and rent 1,000 more. In addition to the cows, there are 950 calves and heifers. They milk the Holsteins, Jerseys and crossbreds three times a day in 12-hour shifts with the help of 20 employees.
In 2010, the Tauchen’s hosted the Shawano County Brunch on the Farm. They are also always willing to show their farm to others.
“We have lots of tours here,” Tauchen said.
The Tauchen farm was the first in Shawano County to do a major expansion.
Gary, the oldest son and a state assemblyman for the 6th District, said his father was always looking for ways to improve, and the kids always had things to do.
“He taught us how to work hard and have fun,” Gary said.
“We took the time to work with the kids,” Herb Tauchen said. “We didn’t expect them to do things we didn’t do.”
Tauchen, who will be 85 on June 22, has slowed down a bit and doesn’t do as much as he used to, but he still goes to the farm every day to pick up the bills for Marlys.
“This is a big business now,” Tauchen said.
He also gives his wife credit for the success of the business and their family, which now includes 24 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
“She’s the boss,” he said. “She’s the key. I have been very blessed. I have a really good family.”
