Since 2010, Tauer Dairy has been proud to participate in the MAST (Minnesota Agricultural Student Trainee) program. The year before we joined, our family faced an incredibly challenging time—our daughter Hope was born stillborn. That heartbreaking experience led us to reflect deeply on our lives, our farm, and our purpose. We realized that we didn’t just want to be a farm family. Instead, we wanted to be a family that farmed, putting relationships and values at the heart of everything we do.
When MAST was first suggested to us, we decided to give it a try with just one intern to see how it would go. What began as an experiment quickly grew into something much larger. One intern became two, then three, and before long, MAST students weren’t just interns—they were part of our expanding definition of family.
Over the years, we’ve come to cherish the energy, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives MAST students bring to our farm. It has been just as rewarding to learn from them as it has been to teach them. Together, we’ve weathered everything from personal challenges back home to the literal Minnesota weather.
After we had more children of our own, MAST became a way to teach our kids about diversity, empathy, and compassion—all right here in their own backyard. Hosting MAST students has enriched our lives in countless ways. To date, we’ve had the privilege of hosting nearly 30 MAST students from 12 different countries.
Each one has left a lasting mark, becoming a great friend and a treasured part of the Tauer Dairy legacy. MAST has truly been more than a program for us—it’s been a journey of growth, connection, and shared purpose.