Kaufmann grew up on his family's farm in rural Wilton and is a graduate of Wilton High School. He attended Muscatine Community College where he received the Outstanding Student of the Year Award. He went on to study business at the University of Iowa.

After college he purchased and remodeled a brick home built in 1876. Kaufmann is a crop and livestock farmer who also owns and operates a steel hauling, construction and demolition business in Cedar County.

Kaufmann is a member of the Farm Bureau, National Rifle Association, Cedar County Historical Society, Cedar County Soldiers Monument Association and a wide variety of service and volunteer organizations.