Splitter Farms in Kansas: History, What It Raises, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
Splitter Farms is a five-generation grain farm near Lorraine in Ellsworth County, Kansas, owned by Matt and Janna Splitter. AgWeb reports it grew from about 1,000 acres to about 13,000 and seeded roughly 21,000 acres last year, and Field to Market named Matt its 2025 Farmer of the Year.
| Location | Green Garden Township, Ellsworth County, near Lorraine, Kansas |
|---|---|
| Founded | Family arrived in 1876; own site says 'since 1878'; still owns the original 160 acres |
| Sectors | Corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum; custom farming |
| Scale | About 7,000 acres per the farm's site, up to 15,000 with custom work; AgWeb reports about 21,000 acres seeded last year |
| Why it is notable | 2025 Field to Market Farmer of the Year; 2021 Tomorrow's Top Producer Horizon Award; 2026 Top Producer finalist |
| Ownership | Matt and Janna Splitter |
| Official website | Splitter Farms official site |
History of Splitter Farms
Wilhelm Splitter moved his family from Wisconsin to Kansas by rail in 1876 and was one of 18 families who homesteaded to build a Baptist-based community. The family bought 160 acres, which it still owns. Louis B. Splitter became manager in 1904 and L. Vernon Splitter in 1944.
Melvin and Janet Splitter returned in 1976 after earning PhDs at Cornell, expanded the farm, added irrigation and introduced soybeans to the area. Melvin died in 2010. Matt and Janna returned in March 2010 and became managers in 2011.
What Splitter Farms Grows and Raises
The farm grows corn, soybeans, wheat and grain sorghum on owned and leased land, combined with custom farming for neighbors. AgWeb says custom work bridged the transition to full-time farming and that a mentorship with Lee and Margaret Scheufler helped them scale.
AgWeb describes a team culture that spans five decades of employee age and a landlord strategy that ranks agreements by relationship, then profitability, then distance. The farm site reports a 100 percent landlord retention rate. Janna is co-owner and controller. Matt serves on the Kansas Corn board.
How Splitter Farms Makes Money
Row crops
Corn, soybeans, wheat and grain sorghum are the core enterprises. Revenue figures are not published.
Custom farming
Custom work for neighboring farms and landowners adds income and spreads equipment costs.
Landlord relationships
Leased land is central to growth, and the farm stresses communication and retention.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from Splitter Farms
Start with custom work. It funded the move to full-time farming.
Treat landlords as partners. The farm reports full retention.
Invest in people and systems. AgWeb describes restructured finances after tough 2014 to 2015 years.
From a Wisconsin train to a Kansas homestead and now a farm with bookkeeping, payroll and landlord relations, Splitter Farms runs a long-haul story the farm satire pages can only salute. Here at farm.FM our farm humor team would hire anyone with a 100 percent retention rate. Our ranch humor says the milo is jealous of the corn, but our farm jokes will stay respectful.
farm.FM, the nation's first satirical farm site, also runs Tractor Tunes, a country music lineup for farmers. For a sample of the writing, try the archive of one of its staff humorists.
How to Contact Splitter Farms
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/splitterfarms
The farm's site links to a Contact Us page but does not print an address, phone or email in the pages I saw. Information as of November 2026.
Splitter Farms Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Splitter Farms - Official site
- AgWeb profile - Independent profile of farm growth and culture
- Splitter Farms honors - Awards listed by the farm
- USDA NASS Census of Agriculture - Official county and state data on Kansas farms and sales
- USDA Farmers.gov - Federal loan, conservation and risk programs for operators
Splitter Farms FAQ
Where is Splitter Farms?
Near Lorraine in Ellsworth County, central Kansas.
How long has the family farmed there?
The family arrived in 1876, per the farm's history page.
What does it grow?
Corn, soybeans, wheat and grain sorghum.
What awards has it won?
The farm lists 2025 Field to Market Farmer of the Year and the 2021 Tomorrow's Top Producer Horizon Award.
Splitter Farms shows how people and landlord relationships can drive growth. Find more in our Kansas farms guide.