Our Story
Shorter Farm, owned and operated by Chuck and Joan Shorter, was established in 1963 in Blacksburg, Virginia, and has remained a working family farm for more than sixty years. What began as a traditional New River Valley farm has grown into a multi-generational operation rooted in hard work, stewardship of the land, and a commitment to producing high-quality food for the local community.
Over the decades, the farm has raised cattle, grown crops, harvested hay, and produced fresh vegetables. The land has supported both livestock and crops, reflecting the diverse and resilient nature of farming in southwest Virginia.
Today, Shorter Farm continues that legacy by raising locally grown beef and seasonal produce for families in the Blacksburg and New River Valley community. Our cattle are grass-fed and grain-finished, raised without added hormones, and processed through a USDA-inspected facility to ensure quality and safety.
While agriculture has changed over the years, the values behind Shorter Farm remain the same: care for the land, respect for the animals, and pride in feeding the community that surrounds us.
Charles “Chuck” Shorter
Farmer and Agricultural Leader
Chuck Shorter has spent his life farming and serving the agricultural community in Blacksburg, Virginia. A graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Animal Science, Chuck began his career working in agricultural production and land stewardship while building the family operation that became Shorter Farm.
For nearly three decades, Chuck served as Crop Production Manager at the Virginia Tech College Farm, overseeing large-scale crop production and supporting the university’s research, teaching, and extension programs. Through this work he collaborated closely with faculty, students, and extension specialists while managing farm operations and implementing sustainable production practices.
In addition to farming, Chuck has dedicated significant time to agricultural leadership and public service. He has served on the Virginia Farm Service Agency State Committee, helping oversee federal farm programs and supporting producers across the Commonwealth. His leadership has also included roles with the Skyline Soil and Water Conservation Board, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, Southern States Cooperative, and the New River–Highlands Resource Conservation and Development Council, as well as serving as an elected member of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
Today, Chuck continues to steward the land at Shorter Farm while helping guide the next generation of the farm’s operation.
Parker Epperley
Fourth Generation of Shorter Farm
Parker Epperley represents the fourth generation connected to the land at Shorter Farm. Growing up around the farm and its agricultural traditions, Parker developed an early appreciation for farming, livestock, and the responsibility of caring for the land.
Parker graduated with a B.S. degree in Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech in May 2025, building on the agricultural knowledge and experience that has shaped the farm for generations. Today he helps manage the farm’s direct-to-consumer offerings, including locally raised beef and seasonal produce, while continuing the family’s tradition of responsible farming.
By connecting the farm directly with the local community through farm stand sales and local pickup opportunities, Parker is helping carry Shorter Farm forward while honoring the legacy built by the generations before him.