Down a long gravel road outside Paragould, Arkansas, surrounded by row crops and wide-open farmland, two new grain bins rise above the landscape at Zack and Whitney McMillon Farms. It’s a picturesque setting, but the investment was driven by a very practical need.
Zack and Whitney farm approximately 3,000 acres of row crops and rice across a broad area of Greene County, Arkansas. Their acres stretch across both sides of Crowley’s Ridge, including Stonewall, Delaplaine, Schugtown, toward the St. Francis River and north to Bard.
As their operation grew, so did the challenge of efficiently storing grain produced across those acres.
“We needed more storage to save on fuel, and it allows us to store our product on site until we are ready to move it,” Whitney explained.
Working with Valley View, the McMillons constructed two 48-foot-diameter, seven-ring grain bins featuring 4.0 corrugation, along with the airflow, access, grain-level monitoring, and foundation design needed to make the system work efficiently.
Bringing More Storage Home
Before completing the project, the McMillons were relying on rented grain bins to provide enough capacity for their growing operation. Adding storage of their own offered an opportunity to change that.
Instead of moving grain farther than necessary simply to find available storage, the new bins allow more of the crop to remain on the farm until the McMillons are ready to move it.
For an operation spread across a significant portion of Greene County, reducing unnecessary transportation can mean fewer miles, less fuel, and more flexibility during a busy harvest.
Storage Built Around Rice
Rice places unique demands on grain storage and handling equipment, making system design especially important.
For the McMillon project, Valley View installed Sukup PTO 50 HP single-inlet fans to provide the airflow needed for the bins. The PTO-powered configuration gives the operation a practical solution designed around the needs and resources of the farm.
Together, the two new grain bins give the McMillons dedicated rice storage close to the acres they farm, adding another tool for managing grain once it leaves the field.
A Small Detail That Makes a Big Difference
One of the most practical features of the project is found underneath the bins. The new bins were constructed on raised foundations, providing the elevation needed to use straight unloads rather than relying on inclined unload systems.
It’s the kind of detail that may not be the first thing someone notices in a photograph, but thoughtful decisions like this can make a significant difference in how a grain system functions day after day.
For the team here at Valley View, that’s an important part of the design process: looking beyond how much grain a customer needs to store and considering how the entire system will work for the operation.
Easier Access and Grain-Level Awareness
VVA also incorporated features designed to make operating the bins more convenient. Spiral stairs with handrails provide permanent access to the bins, while LevALERT grain level indicators offer a simple visual way to identify grain levels from outside the bin.
These additions complement the primary storage and aeration equipment to create a system focused on practical, everyday use.
Making the Financing Process Easier
Building new grain storage involves much more than ordering bins and pouring concrete. For the McMillons, the project also included working with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) on grain storage financing.
Valley View worked alongside the family throughout that process. “They worked well with us, especially while we partnered with FSA to do the grain bin loan,” Whitney said. “They made it very easy and simple on us.”
That support extended from planning through construction, with Valley View Agri-Systems salesman Jeremy Cude serving as a consistent point of contact. According to the McMillons, Jeremy’s responsiveness was one of the primary reasons they selected VVA in the first place.
“Jeremy Cude was very responsive and was able to get the bins we needed in a timely manner.” Throughout construction, that communication continued. “Valley View was very easy to work with, and Jeremy made sure to keep us notified throughout the process.”
The Relationship Doesn’t End When Construction Does
For a farm operation, a grain system is only as valuable as its ability to perform when it’s needed. That’s why parts and service have also become an important part of the McMillons’ experience with Valley View.
When something breaks or a replacement part is needed, waiting isn’t always an option, especially during harvest.
“Anytime we have had something break down or a part was needed, Valley View always jumped in and got it to us quickly,” Whitney said. “They are always willing to help when needed.” That service after the sale has given the McMillons confidence not only in their current system, but in working with Valley View again.
Room to Grow
What matters most is what this investment allows the McMillons to do. With more storage available on the farm, they can reduce their dependence on rented bins, save transportation miles and fuel, and maintain greater control over their grain until they’re ready to move it.
And as their operation continues to evolve, they already know who they plan to call.
“Jeremy Cude was a top-notch salesman for us,” Whitney said. “He’s very professional and is always willing to help any way that he can. We will definitely be doing more business through him in the future.”
For Valley View Agri-Systems, that’s the measure of a successful project: not simply completing another grain system but earning the opportunity to help a customer build whatever comes next.