Senior Spotlight: LillyAnne Keeley, Environmental Science with a concentration in Sustainable Livestock Systems

"Sterling taught me how to find and pursue my passions, and I’m so proud of the person and worker I’ve become."

Academic Focus Lilly has played a big role in the management of the sheep flock for the last couple of seasons. Lilly worked on the farm over the summer for 2 summers, learning all about rotational grazing, parasite management and general summer troubleshooting on the farm. Lilly took Animal Science and participated in lambing in 2024. Last year, she created an independent study around lambing, and this year she is the Teaching Assistant for Animal Science heading up the on-call and on the ground logistics of lambing. Lilly has focused her academics around learning about livestock, specifically sheep management.

Lilly's Most Meaningful Project Lilly had a large part in leading the Sterling lambing seasons ‘25, and ‘26, with mentoring farm volunteers, coordinating lamb checks, day 2 tasks, day 10 tasks, and general health checks for the lambs and ewes. She loves the on campus birthing process, growing while grazing in the pastures over the summer, and then sending them off in the fall to come back and feed the campus. 

Work Program Job & Highlights Lilly's on campus work program job is Farm Leader in Livestock Management. Lilly has stepped into this role with great enthusiasm. She has developed her ability to teach, guide, and lead her peers in observation, chores, and all things livestock. 

Personal Interests Outside of Lilly's time on the farm, she has developed a love for ornithology, starting the Sterling Bird Club, encouraging her fellow students to also be excited about birding. She also enjoys fiber art crafts and preserving the beauty of animal pieces such as hides and skulls. 

Next Steps After graduation, Lilly has plans to continue in livestock agriculture. She has secured a summer job in her hometown in Maine working on a sheep farm focusing on rotational grazing. She would love to always continue learning and birding for the rest of her life.