Tara Mcdaniel

Tara McDaniel is a first-generation and nontraditional college graduate who earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. She is currently a USDA NextGen Scholar at Arizona State University, where she is pursuing a Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems. Tara served two AmeriCorps terms with FoodCorps at Cedarville Elementary School, focusing on regenerative gardening practices for environmental stewardship within the school garden. During the spring 2020 school closures, she pivoted her efforts to address food insecurity by making the school garden accessible to students’ families. In 2021, Tara helped launch Fort Smith, Arkansas’ first LGBTQIA+ youth groups, an initiative spearheaded by Central Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Tara began her involvement with the Arkansas Climate League as a volunteer, assisting with the development of the People Power Project grant application. In May 2024, she accepted a position with the League, where she continues to support its mission. Tara remains actively involved in her community. She serves as a board member for River Valley PRIDE, Keep Fort Smith Beautiful, and the Citizens’ Climate Lobby - Fort Smith Chapter. Tara’s passion for the environment and food systems comes from her experiences raising her two sons, now adults, Hazel and Judah McDaniel.