Olmsted County Extension is happy to welcome Mary Nesberg to our office! She will be the new educator for Agriculture & Horticulture.
Mary, a Rochester native, brings a diverse skill set to bolster the agriculture, horticulture, and natural resource sectors in Olmsted County. Her background in K-12 education equips her with experience in coordinating field trips, developing curriculum, and meeting stakeholders' needs. She served as a science, environmental, and Gifted and Talented teacher in Colorado, where fostered a love of learning through hands-on experiences with students in various ecosystems. Her time spent exploring agricultural settings with students out West inspired her to shift towards a career in agricultural outreach and education.
Currently pursuing a Precision Agriculture certification at Riverland Community College, Mary engages with producers, cooperatives, and conservationists to grasp Southeastern Minnesota's agricultural dynamics. She enjoys attending field days and conferences and is especially interested in the intersection of soil and water conservation and crop production.
Beyond education and agriculture, Mary excels as a community organizer, leading a collaborative community mural project between a school, neighborhood association, and a refugee community. She has supported Rochester Pride through her work as a volunteer and logistics coordinator for their annual festival. As she transitions to an Extension Educator role with the University of Minnesota, Mary remains committed to lifelong learning and contributing meaningfully to her community's growth.