Ranch Dad Shares Lifestyle with Kids

Written by Rebecca Colnar

Being a ranch dad requires many skills, including being a teacher, safety advisor, mediator and fun-time coordinator. Fifth-generation rancher Buddy Cheff and his wife, Bridgett, have three sons who get juggled between their mom’s family’s grain and potato farm, the Cheff’s cattle ranch and school. The boys might be with Bridgett one day and helping on the ranch the next.

“Our sons are growing up with a lifestyle similar to how I was raised,” Buddy said. “They are growing up in almost the same house I did.”

Their 7-year-old son, Buddy (nicknamed Five because there are plenty of Buddys in the family), is active in “just about everything,” said his dad. “Right now, bottle-feeding a bum calf is his responsibility. He goes out every day to make sure that the calf is fed and happy. He and our 4-year-old son, Hudson, check the chickens, gather eggs and feed the pigs.”

The three youngsters tag along with Buddy, whether they are working cows, in the tractor or joining their dad for other ranch work. The

5-month-old, Mason, comes along, whether in a chest rig, a stroller or in someone’s arms.

“Bringing the kids along at any age allows them to experience ranch work and learn as they go,” said the 36-year-old ranch dad.

Buddy explained that ranch life can teach kids basic skills like math—counting chickens and eggs. Five will attend second grade in Ronan this fall, which he enjoys because he it gives him an opportunity to interact with other kids. He also enjoys some sports, like wrestling. Hudson is looking forward to preschool this fall.

“We dedicate time to reading every evening,” Buddy said. “We spend academic time decompressing, and either we read to the kids, or they read to us.”

“One of the traits teachers like about ranch kids is they learn to listen well. There is a purpose to listening—if they don’t listen, they could get hurt,” said Buddy. “From what Five’s teachers say, he listens well and follows instructions. He’s also very independent and not afraid to try new things. Being on the ranch and experiencing different situations teaches him to adapt.”

Buddy enjoys watching the children experience the same things he did at different stages in their lives.

“I love seeing them grow into their own person, and watching their confidence in their ability to do many different things is rewarding,” said Buddy. “A ranch provides so many different experiences, whether it’s how equipment operates, cattle handling or just watching calves be born. Sometimes we need to euthanize an animal, and they’re usually around to see that.”

If they choose, the Cheff children will have the opportunity to either farm with Bridgett’s family or ranch with the Cheffs.

“If they want to explore, that’s fine, but I would love them to come home and eventually take over our ranch.”

Rebecca Colnar is Director of Public Relations for Montana Farm Bureau and a freelance writer from Custer, Montana.