McBee Sells 840K Bushel Grain Facility

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Gallatin, Missouri-based McBee Farms sold a large grain facility to an organic wheat company as the sentencing date on crop insurance fraud approaches for reality television star and farm owner Steve A. McBee.

Jamesport, Missouri-based EarthTouch announced in a news release on Thursday that it acquired an 840,000-bushel grain facility in Gallatin to expand production of its premium black Einkorn wheat, which is a non-GMO grain sold directly to consumers, flour mills and bakeries.

Though the company did not provide financial details of the sale, such a state-of-the-art grain facility can cost anywhere from $5 million to $7 million.

EarthTouch President Jon Thomas said in a Facebook post to the "Gallatin Missouri Community News and Events Group" that the facility was acquired from the McBee family and is in the Gallatin industrial park.

"The newly acquired facility is equipped with the advanced AGI BinManager system by Ag Growth International, enabling real-time grain monitoring and automation to ensure superior quality and storage efficiency," the company said in a news release.

"This technology supports EarthTouch's commitment to sustainable practices by minimizing waste and preserving the integrity of its black Einkorn harvest."

McBee, the star of the reality television series "The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys," runs the northwest Missouri farm along with his sons Steve Jr., Brayden, Cole and Jesse.

McBee pleaded guilty to crop insurance fraud at the end of 2024 and could face up to 30 years in prison without a chance of parole, due to the offense being a Class B felony.

EarthTouch said this week the purchase of the grain facility would create about 25 new jobs.

The company said it was "expanding black Einkorn production" and "deepening its collaboration" with local organic growers in the region to offer premium organic feeds.

"These feeds, crafted with care, support the production of high-quality livestock," EarthTouch said in the news release.

The company also provides organic fertilizers designed to "enhance soil health" and support organic farming operations.

"This facility will serve as a hub for producing and distributing black Einkorn and our organic feeds and fertilizers, fostering a healthier future for both farmers and consumers," Thomas said in the news release.

McBee admitted he engaged in "fraudulent activity" from 2018 to 2020 that caused an economic loss to USDA. McBee is required to pay about $3.2 million to the federal government. The total loss to USDA is about $4 million, though the federal government has disputed the total loss amount.

McBee is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 16, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

In addition, McBee and McBee Family Farms defaulted on a $1.3 million loan with Rabo Agrifinance LLC, according to a judgment filed in the Circuit Court of Daviess County in the 43rd Judicial Circuit in Missouri on Aug. 13, 2025.

Rabo first entered the judgment of default in Iowa District Court in Black Hawk County on June 25, 2025.

In addition, U.S. attorneys filed a notice and bill of particulars for the forfeiture of property with the court on Aug. 29, requiring McBee to forfeit three wrist watches. According to DTN's research, the watches may be valued anywhere from $23,700 to more than $1 million.

The property includes a Tag Heuer Formula 1 watch, a Tag Heuer Grand Carrera watch and a Rolex Daytona watch.

The federal government is seeking the forfeiture of all property derived from proceeds traceable to the crop insurance fraud committed by McBee, who reached a plea agreement in the case.

It was revealed during the second season of "The McBee Dynasty" that the farm was carrying debt of about $70 million.

Read more on DTN:

"McBee Farms Defaults on Rabo Ag Loan," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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