Fox Friday: Tara McNamee’s Volunteer Work Deepens Her Love of Nature and Agriculture

Fox Friday is a series that highlights the accomplishments of students districtwide. We regularly feature the incredible things our students are up to — whether they are excelling academically, athletically or are quietly impressive.

Fox Lane senior Tara McNamee has been interested in animals from a young age. That love ultimately led her to the local 4-H Club, where she not only gained experience working with animals and learning about horticulture and sustainable farming, but she also learned life lessons that have helped her in the classroom.

We spoke to her to learn more about her volunteer experience.

What drew you to the 4-H Club? How long have you been a part of it?

I first heard about 4-H when I was really young, after participating for many years in the farm camp at Muscoot Farm. I was able to join during my freshman year and was ecstatic to finally have the opportunity to work more closely with animals. I was a part of the Muscoot program for three years before moving to Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Putnam at Tilly Foster Farm for our senior year. 

Can you explain what the 4-H experience is about for anyone unfamiliar with it?

4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States, and stands for head, hearts, hands, and health. Our group was geared towards agriculture, where we learned hands-on skills in horticulture and livestock care and maintenance.

Through the program, we learn how to trim hooves, provide animals with proper nutrition, identify different plants, farm using eco-friendly practices, and so much more. We work closely with dairy cattle, sheep, chickens, goats, donkeys, pigs, and horses, learning about their anatomy, diets, and lifestyles. 

What are some of your favorite things that you've done through the program?

Not only do we learn these skills, but we also put them to use through 4-H fairs that we've participated in, most notably being the Putnam County Fair and our biggest fair of the year, the Yorktown Grange Fair.

These fairs have by far been some of my favorite experiences through the group. My friends and I stay overnight, taking care of livestock, educating the public, and showing animals in competitions throughout the course of the weekend. We learn to care for the animals independently and to use proper showing techniques, including maintaining their cleanliness and adapting to their behavior. Since this is my senior year, I had the privilege of judging the goat livestock show, choosing a winner and Grand Champion, as well as earning Grand Champion for both my goat showing and first place for my heifer. 

Have you learned any skills that help you in school (or vice versa)?

Through 4-H, I've really learned how to connect with different groups of people and worked on my confidence by presenting to the group. This directly translated to my classroom experience.

I’ve also learned about sustainable wool farming, where we work very closely with sheep and learn about the many uses of wool.

Do you think 4-H will be a part of your future?

I love 4-H and really hope that it will continue to be a part of my life. I love working with animals, teaching, volunteering with the public and sharing my favorite experience with other people so that they may also find an interest in agriculture. I hope to continue with nature work, whether it's in livestock care or conservation, and hope to inspire others to participate as much as I was inspired to myself.