09/18/2026
I wrote and posted this eight years ago this weekend, shortly after I was turned loose in the combine for the first time (it was just one round to finish filling the truck, but still exciting!).
Many things have changed, most notably that I’m part of the farm now and have a new buddy who will test out the buddy seat for herself this fall. ☺️
An Ode to the Buddy Seat
Oh, the buddy seat,
A farm kid’s favorite place to be,
Hanging with Dad,
Wearing matching plaid,
It’s much more fun than watching TV,
And Mom sent a whole lunchbox of snacks to eat!
You patiently waited all day
For a chance to ride along with Dad (or Mom).
And who doesn’t think it’s funny to watch the combine say,
“Om nom nom nom nom nom”?
Oh, the buddy seat,
Climbing over to the steering wheel,
You've only just turned five,
But you could sit on Daddy’s lap to “drive,”
And pretend to operate the soybean reel.
For a kid - that was pretty neat!
Riding along in the crisp autumn air,
Looking over the field was so peaceful, so serene.
You didn’t even mind the chaff in your hair,
Because you were busy watching the sunset steal the scene.
Oh, the buddy seat,
The season didn’t matter.
You were there in the tractor for planting,
And back in the combine for harvesting,
Because after climbing up the dusty ladder,
The view couldn’t be beat.
The cab may be a little dirty,
The plastic factory seat covering in tatters,
And the ride is always a little noisy,
But being with Dad is what really matters.
Oh, the buddy seat,
You ride to the field to bring Dad supper,
You knew you could climb up for another round.
As the combine starts back up, you twist around,
Because it was fun to watch the grain fill the hopper.
After a down and back, the buzzer goes BEEP!,
And you know it’s almost time to climb back down,
As the auger extends, you get a hug goodnight.
The combine unloads into wagons headed for the elevator in town,
And you yawn and rub your eyes as you walk back to the car with Mom in the moonlight.
Oh, the buddy seat,
There’s no place you’d rather be.
The experiences you’ve had,
Sitting there with Mom and Dad,
Isn’t something that everyone gets to see.
Oh, the buddy seat,
These times, they’ll come to pass,
And no more clambering up the ladder after school to greet.
Because farm kids grow up so fast,
And Dad will soon find himself teaching you from his new spot in the buddy seat.
