Kansas Ag Hero of the Month:

The Short Family

On the cover of her book, “Nothing Short of a Miracle,” Lisa Short lists “faith, family, community, and perseverance” beneath the title. These are conservative Kansas values, they are the bedrock of American agriculture, and the Short family are this month’s ag heroes because they embody them.   

Chris and Lisa Short, along with their sons Matt, Zach, and Zach’s wife Jodi, are fourth and fifth-generation farmers. Zach and Jodi’s three kids are the sixth generation of Shorts to live on the farm. Together, they raise milo, corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay on the family operation in Assaria. Chris and Lisa’s daughter Kelsey, who doesn’t farm with them, has her hands full raising three children with her husband Broc in Salina. 

Life changed for the Short family in 2014 when Zach was involved in a farming accident where he was electrocuted and nearly killed. Following the accident, Zach made a miraculous recovery and their community rallied around them in the special way that only rural communities can. When disaster strikes rural communities, people show up in droves to finish the harvest, provide meals, raise money, and pray without ceasing.

“If it wasn’t for our rural community, we wouldn’t have made it,” said Jodi. “If we didn’t live in a small town, we wouldn’t have had all the help we had.”  

“I’ve carried everyone’s love and prayers with me ever since, through months of physical and occupational therapy, adjusting to life as a farmer with prosthetic legs, even operating a combine again,” said Zach. “Absolutely, I get discouraged—but never for long. My family, friends, and neighbors always lift me back up. That’s what farmers do—we help each other.” 

Matt highlighted the blessing of learning techniques from one another in a small, rural town. “Having a community with farming and your family is important because it gives you a sense of togetherness, teaches you valuable skills, and promotes sustainable living for future generations,” said Matt. “I wouldn't trade it for any other job in the world.” 

“Our roots are grounded not only in the family farm but also in a community that is like an extension of our family,” said Lisa. “With all the unrest and uncertainty in the world, there is a secure feeling that comes from a small community where people look out for one another.” Speaking about Matt and Zach, their proud father Chris said, “It’s an honor, a privilege, and a dream to work with my sons, knowing that I’ll be passing the family farm over to the next generation in good, capable hands.” 

The Shorts inspire me to keep fighting every day to defend agriculture and conservative Kansas values because they, and so many other Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers like them, are the backbone of America.