When you manage farmland across multiple states, every investment has to deliver long-term value. For Goldcrest Farm Trust (“Goldcrest”), grain storage isn’t simply about adding capacity, it’s about creating efficient, reliable infrastructure that helps each farm perform at its highest potential.
Since its founding in 2014, Goldcrest has grown into a diversified farmland investment and management company with operations spanning the United States. Goldcrest Farm Trust Advisors manages the platform, overseeing thousands of acres producing corn, soybeans, cotton, rice, wheat, alfalfa, potatoes, and other crops, continually investing in improvements that increase both productivity and the long-term value of its properties.
One such investment is the Bee Lake Farm near Thornton, Mississippi.
Preserving History While Building for the Future
The Bee Lake Farm sits on the historic Stonewall Plantation, one of Mississippi’s oldest plantations. While the property still retains many of its original buildings and history, Goldcrest’s focus has been preparing it for the future.
“One thing we always try to do is improve the property,” explained Shane Bray, Vice President and Senior Project Manager for Goldcrest Farm Trust Advisors. “One of those improvements was building the new grain system here.”
The project transformed what had been nothing more than a shop yard into a modern grain handling facility designed to support today’s production agriculture.
Built Around Efficiency
Working alongside Valley View Agri-Systems, Goldcrest constructed a greenfield storage facility featuring five 60,000-bushel grain bins for a total storage capacity of 300,000 bushels.
Designed as a loop system, the facility allows trucks to continuously unload while the system keeps grain moving throughout harvest.
“It’s all about efficiency,” Bray said. “One person can start the loop system, dump the truck, drive off, and keep the system running. The grain bins sit right in the middle of the farm, so we can keep harvest moving without interruption.”
The system provides flexibility as well. Grain can move west to Mississippi River export terminals or east to livestock and poultry feed markets, allowing Goldcrest and its farm operators to respond quickly to changing market conditions.
Planning for Tomorrow
While the current system meets today’s needs, it was intentionally designed with expansion in mind.
If additional acreage is acquired, the loop can easily be extended with more storage. Future additions such as grain drying equipment, automated controls, and monitoring technology can also be incorporated without redesigning the entire facility.
“We always design these systems so they can be expanded later,” Bray said. “As operations grow, the facility can grow with them.”
Choosing a Partner, Not Just a Contractor
Every Goldcrest project begins with evaluating multiple proposals, timelines, and pricing. But one factor consistently rises to the top: long-term support.
“We look at availability, construction schedule, and service after the fact,” Bray explained. “We’re looking for dealers that can be reliable long after the build is finished.”
That philosophy has led Bray to work with Valley View Agri-Systems for more than 16 years, including throughout his time with Goldcrest.
“One reason we use Valley View is because they’ve got multiple locations,” Bray said. “The service crews can travel out of those locations and be in a lot of areas pretty quickly.”
With farms spread across the US, having experienced technicians nearby gives Goldcrest confidence that help is never far away.
Service After the Sale
For Bray, the true value of a grain system isn’t measured the day construction is complete, it’s measured during harvest when every hour counts.
“So many things can happen during harvest,” he said. “A belt, a chain, paddles…pick any component. Valley View keeps the major parts in stock, and their service department responds quickly. We’ve gotten really good turnaround time on both parts and service.”
That responsiveness has become one of the defining reasons Goldcrest continues to partner with Valley View across multiple properties.
“My grandfather was a mechanic,” Bray recalled. “He always told me they build the service department first. It’s all about service after the sale.”
Built on Relationships
Over the years, Bray has worked closely with Valley View team members including David Lester, Marc Wilson, and the Jonesboro sales and service teams.
Those long-term relationships have streamlined project management and made future builds even more efficient.
“Once everybody gets on the same page and understands what we’re trying to accomplish, it’s always been a smooth process.”
That consistency matters for an organization managing properties across several states.
“I’m looking for somebody I can call who already knows my locations, knows my equipment, understands the quality we expect, and can support us after the sale.”
Investing in Farms for the Long Haul
As Goldcrest continues to improve its farmland portfolio, reliable infrastructure remains a critical part of every investment strategy.
For Bee Lake Farm, Valley View Agri-Systems delivered more than grain storage, they delivered a scalable system designed to improve harvest efficiency today while providing flexibility for future expansion.
For Bray, that’s exactly what a trusted partner should do. “We’re looking for someone who understands what we need today and can continue growing with us into the future.”
It’s that combination of thoughtful design, dependable service, and long-term partnership that has made Valley View Agri-Systems a trusted resource for Goldcrest and a partner they’ll continue relying on as their portfolio grows.