The McBee Dynasty: Family Drama, FBI Investigations, Babies, and Beyond
The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys focuses on Steven “Steve” McBee and his family as they manage their Missouri farm. However, their journey hasn’t always been without challenges.
Steve and his former spouse, Kristi McBee, were married for 28 years before his infidelity was revealed, prompting her to seek a divorce. They share four sons: Steven McBee Jr., Jesse McBee, Cole McBee, and Brayden McBee, and separated in 2019.
Despite his personal struggles, Steve remained committed to his vision of expanding McBee Farm & Cattle Co. with the help of his sons. However, in November 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of federal crop insurance fraud, which sent shockwaves through their family and business.
“We take it day by day,” Steven told Us Weekly regarding the family’s future in July 2025. “The situation is still ongoing. We hope to resolve it before the end of the year so we can finally move on and say, ‘OK, we’ve got this figured out. We can start life again now.’” Steve received a two-year prison sentence in October 2025.
Scroll down to reflect on the McBee family’s journey, starting from their farm acquisition in the ’90s:
1998
Steve made his first investment in a 300-acre plot in Missouri.
2005
After acquiring more land and encountering “some issues” with a local farmer he employed, Steve decided to take charge of the farming operations himself, as noted on the company’s website.
2009
In this year, Steve diversified his operations to include cattle ranching and eventually expanded to raise buffalo.
2018
When Steven joined the farm full-time, he launched Apex Protein Snacks, a high-protein meat snack brand featuring jerky and travel sticks.
2019
“Steve and I were married for 28 years, but eventually, I learned about numerous infidelities,” Kristi shared during season 2 of The McBee Dynasty, revealing that she filed for divorce that year.
Post-separation, Kristi established her own firm, Lan-Tel Communications. “Steve said I would ruin it within six months,” she remarked in a July 2025 episode, describing her business as focused on communications, underground construction, and concrete. She proudly noted, “We’ve tripled its size—a little sweet revenge.”
2022
Steven appeared on Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer, which debuted in January. He met Calah Jackson, and the two had an on-again, off-again relationship from 2021 to 2024.
In June, the McBees opened their first McBee’s Coffee N’ Carwash in Missouri. By September 2025, they established eight locations in Missouri and three in Arkansas.
2023
During summer 2023, the family broadened their operations by launching the McBee Meat Co. facility in Lamoni, Iowa, which allows them to take their products directly from farm to table. They also filmed season 1 of The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys that year.
2024
The McBee Dynasty premiered on Peacock in March, providing a glimpse into the farming and ranching life of the family. By September, they launched the “Meet the McBees” podcast.
In October, their second son Jesse wed his high school sweetheart, Alli McBee, in Missouri. Just a month later, Steve pleaded guilty in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.
The McBee Dynasty’s Steven “Steve” McBee Sr. significantly stepped back from the Bravo series during season 2, later attributing it to his FBI investigation. Consequently, his sons—Steven McBee Jr., Jesse McBee, Cole McBee, and Brayden McBee—took over his duties on their Missouri family farm.
In November, Steve faced charges for one count of federal crop insurance fraud, accused of submitting false reports regarding his crop yields and misrepresenting crop usage. His sentencing occurred the following year.
Amidst all this adversity, the McBees celebrated the arrival of Cole and girlfriend Kacie Adkison‘s first child, daughter Blair, born in December; she is the first grandchild for Steve and Kristi.
2025
The McBees welcomed Jesse and Alli’s first child, daughter Summer, in April.
Season 2 of The McBee Dynasty premiered on Bravo in June, which was renewed for a third season in October.
As details of Steve’s legal issues emerged, the family awaited his sentencing, which occurred in October. A judge sentenced Steve to two years in prison and two years of supervised release, confirming that he owed $4,022,124 in restitution. Court documents indicated that Steve must self-surrender by 2 p.m. on December 1.
