Cash McCauley: 2026 Growing Forward with Crystal Flash Award Recipient

Cash McCauley knows that a “moo” isn’t always a request for dinner. Sometimes, he explains, a cow is “just fitting in.” It’s the kind of observation that comes from spending plenty of time around cattle—and having a sense of humor about farm life. The 15-year-old from Lowell, Michigan, is one of the 2026 Growing Forward with Crystal Flash award recipients.

At Tumbleweed Dairy LLC, Cash helps his parents on the farm where his mom grew up. His main responsibility is feeding the groups of heifers twice a day, and tending to the younger cattle is a part of farm life he especially enjoys. With about 80 heifers on the farm, there’s plenty to keep him busy.

Cash is quick to offer his own explanation for the workload. In his application, he joked that his parents enjoy coming up with more chores for him. Beneath the playful humor is a young person who is passionate about cattle, eager to share what he knows, and interested in learning more.

His parents introduced him to registered dairy cattle, opening the door to showing animals and meeting other young people who share his interests. His main show cow, Jellybean, is part of that story. Through showing, Cash has made connections with other dairy farm kids across the country, taking an interest rooted at home into a much wider agricultural community.

He also takes on an annual feeder calf project for the county fair and has tried raising broiler chickens. “I like animals and am glad that my parents allow me to try new projects,” he wrote. Those opportunities give him room to explore different interests while continuing to build his experience caring for livestock.

That willingness to get involved extends beyond the farm. Cash is active in 4-H and the Michigan Junior Holstein Association, and he serves as Sentinel for Lowell FFA. During his freshman year at Lowell High School, he served as vice president of the Greenhand Conduct of Meetings team, which won the state contest. He described the team as excited, thrilled, and shocked by the win, and thanked Crystal Flash for sponsoring the contest.

In his application essays, Cash drew on his family’s experience to consider how farms use fuel and why reducing waste matters. Like his livestock projects and FFA activities, the essays offered another way to connect what he sees at home with a broader understanding of agriculture. There is still plenty for Cash to explore. For now, his days already offer opportunities to learn, contribute, and share a laugh—whether he’s representing his chapter or feeding the heifers.

About Growing Forward with Crystal Flash

Growing Forward with Crystal Flash supports young people involved in agriculture through awards that help fund their education and continued participation. Created for the children and grandchildren of active Crystal Flash customers, the program gives back to the agricultural communities that have supported our company for generations. The employee owners of Crystal Flash are proud to encourage young people as they build skills, explore their interests, and contribute to the future of agriculture. Learn more at crystalflash.com/growing-forward.

See overview of all 2026 Growing Forward with Crystal Flash Award Recipients