Raley Brothers is a group of family owned and operated Agri-Businesses that were originally established in 1954 by Earl Raley. In that year Earl Raley mortgaged his family farm to build a small country elevator at Monticello, Louisiana. This original elevator consisted of a hole dug in the ground with a Mayrath auger loading onto a semi-truck. He also managed and leased a cotton gin at that site which was owned by Union Oil Mill in Monroe. About the same time Julius Raley, one of two sons, also entered the business with a grain elevator at Crowville, Louisiana. Upon graduation from high school in 1962, Don Raley also started working at the Monticello location.

The facilities were built almost entirely by the owners and the employees at that time. The original construction consisted of wooden bins close to 15,000-bushel capacity. Later in 1965 steel overhead tanks were built and an additional 70,000-bushel capacity. Annual volumes reached 500,000 bushels.

In the 60’s and 70’s these businesses grew and expanded to include services in fertilizer; seed grain cleaning; full retail sale of seed and agri-chemicals; barge and river facilities; use of custom application equipment; and a new gin plant.

In 1973 Earl Raley retired, selling out his interest in all companies, to his two sons, Julius and Don.

In the 80’s plant improvements were made to the cotton gin and fertilizer plant in order to increase capacity and production to meet demands of growing cotton production. Cotton ginning volume has increased to over 50,000 bales from 1,800 bales a year in the beginning. Fertilizer started out at 200 tons a year and has grown to the present 80,000 tons sold annually, including over 60,000 acres of custom application.

In 1985 Mark and Gordon Raley purchased their father’s interest in the companies, leaving the ownership and management with Don Raley and his two nephews, Mark and Gordon. In 2000 Gordon sold his interest to his brother Mark, leaving Don and Mark the present operators of Monticello Gin Systems, Monticello Gin and Elevator, Crowville Grain and Elevator, Pro-Boll Chemical and Fertilizer, Raley Transport, Raley Bros. LLC. These third generation family owned businesses owe much to the farmers of Northeast Louisiana, their dedicated employees and American Free Enterprise.

Don is married to the former Wanda McVay; and has three daughters, Michelle, Phoebe, and Tammy. Don and Wanda reside in Epps, Louisiana.

Mark is married to the former Kayla Henderson; and has three sons, Matthew, Jeremy, and Joshua. Mark and Kayla reside in Crowville Louisiana.

At present the 6 companies of Raley Bros. employ 54 full time, 20 part time employees with a payroll of $2.2 ml. Locations can be found in Lake Providence, Alsatia, Epps, Dunn, and Crowville. These facilities include sales of 10 ml bushels of grain; 80,000 tons of fertilizer; 30,000 bales of ginning; $15 ml in seed and chemical; and 60,000 acres custom application. The companies have capacities and space that contain 7.2 ml bushels of grain; 43,000 tons fertilizer; 11,000 tons of cottonseed; 40,000 sq foot of warehouse space; a 36 car rail spur for grain loading; 30,000 bushels per hour barge loading dock; and 12 tractor trucks for deliveries. Raley Bros. believes that its success is based on the diversity of services offered, dedicated employees and hard work. Respect, responsibility, commitment, trustworthiness, fairness, and citizenship is expected of employees, venders, and customers.

Raley Bros is owned and operated by families with these Christian values, which we believe God has always and will continue to bless even today. We will continue to build our future on these foundations.