Crystal Spradlin was born and raised in Walkersville, Maryland, and proudly continues her family’s rich agricultural heritage as a fourth-generation dairy farmer. Farming has always been deeply rooted in her family’s history, and today she works side by side with her father and brother to continue the legacy established decades ago. Her grandparents purchased the family farm after relocating from the Middletown area in 1962, and since then, the farm has remained a source of pride, hard work, and dedication for generations of the Stup family. Preserving the farm and ensuring it remains in the family for future generations is something Crystal values tremendously.
Crystal currently serves as the herd manager for TeaBow Farms, where she oversees the care and management of approximately 2,200 dairy cows while helping operate nearly 900 acres of farmland. Her brother, Adam Stup, serves as the crop manager, handling the planting and harvesting of crops used to feed the herd, while her father, Jimmy, acts as president and operations manager of the farm. Together, the family works as a close-knit team to ensure the success and sustainability of their operation.
One of TeaBow Farms’ proudest accomplishments came in 2014, when the family was honored as Frederick County’s “Farm Family of the Year” in
recognition of their outstanding agricultural achievements and commitment to the farming community. This award reflected not only their success as dairy farmers, but also their dedication to preserving agriculture and supporting their local community.
What makes TeaBow Farms especially unique is its strong family tradition and self-sustaining approach to farming. The family grows much of their own crops to feed their herd, creating a full-circle farming operation that emphasizes both efficiency and sustainability. In addition to dairy farming, Crystal expanded the farm’s reach in 2020 by launching her own business, Crystal’s Funny Farm. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to diversify the farm and generate additional income, the business quickly became a beloved local attraction.
Crystal’s Funny Farm offers a variety of fun and family-friendly experiences, including goat yoga, baby goat cuddle sessions, birthday parties, private events, and educational farm visits. The business allows visitors to experience farm life firsthand while creating memorable interactions with animals in a welcoming environment. Whether someone is looking for a relaxing private yoga session or simply wants to spend time cuddling goats and enjoying the outdoors, Crystal’s Funny Farm provides a one-of-a-kind experience for guests of all ages.
Life on the farm keeps Crystal busy, as each day brings new challenges and responsibilities. She plays an essential role in maintaining herd health, administering
breeding treatments, assisting with hoof care, and ensuring the overall wellbeing of the animals. Every Saturday, she milks the hospital pen cows—those requiring specialized care and extra attention—and tends to the young calves still on milk, as well as any newborn calves that arrive throughout the day. Crystal’s passion for animals began at an early age and has remained a driving force behind her commitment to agriculture. Her dedication, compassion, and strong work ethic are evident in the care she provides to the animals and in her daily contributions to the farm.
While the majority of the herd consists of Holstein cows, Crystal has developed a special attachment to several Lineback cattle on the farm, which also contributes to producing high-quality milk. Despite the many rewards of farming, Crystal acknowledges that finding reliable labor remains one of the industry’s greatest challenges. Even so, she works tirelessly alongside her family while coordinating outside help to keep daily operations running smoothly and efficiently.
Crystal encourages anyone interested in pursuing a career in agriculture to thoroughly research the industry and fully understand the hard work, commitment, and sacrifices that come with farm life. Looking toward the future, her family hopes to continue growing the operation by building a new heifer barn that will provide additional space, improved comfort, and better accommodations for their expanding herd.
Above all else, Crystal says the greatest reward is being able to work with animals every day while working alongside her family. Although she stepped away from the farm for a period of time, she does not regret that decision, as it gave her the opportunity to focus on raising her three beautiful children. However, if given the chance to do it all over again, she says she would have stayed on the farm from the very beginning. Her deep passion for agriculture, unwavering dedication to her family’s legacy, and genuine love for the animals make it clear that farming is far more than just a career to Crystal — it is truly her way of life.