Two new team members recently joined Michigan Agriculture in the Classroom and FARM Science programs, both housed at Michigan Farm Bureau and funded by the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture.
FARM Science Program Specialist
Eleesa Bengston brings a diverse background in leadership, organization and customer engagement from roles in insurance, real estate and property management. Most recently she served as a claims representative at Auto-Owners Insurance, managing complex cases, coordinating with multiple departments and ensuring quality outcomes under tight timelines.
As FARM Science Program Specialist, Eleesa will play a key role in the daily operations and delivery of the FARM Science Lab and FARM Science Van programs, including:
- Coordinating school visits, scheduling and logistics
- Supporting regional educators and volunteers
- Managing communication with schools, counties and program partners
- Assisting with reporting, inventory and event coordination
Eleesa’s organizational skills, leadership experience and collaborative spirit will help strengthen FARM Science outreach and ensure smooth, high-quality programming across Michigan.
She lives in Lansing with her husband, their one-year-old daughter and “two very spoiled pets: A cat names James and a retired racing greyhound named Buddy, after Buddy the Elf.” Outside the workplace she enjoys gardening, sewing, collecting vinyl records and baking (including some ham-and-cheese scones her new coworkers are eager to sample.)
Ag in the Classroom Specialist
Nick Pavloski brings more than 10 years of experience in science and STEM education, program logistics and stakeholder engagement. Most recently he taught STEM and science in Olivet and Laingsburg, where he developed hands-on curriculum, managed school-improvement initiatives and coordinated large-scale programs including international exchange opportunities.
As Ag in the Classroom Specialist, Nick will lead efforts to expand agricultural literacy in classrooms across Michigan, including:
- Coordinating lesson implementation and classroom outreach across grade levels
- Supporting teacher professional development and program alignment with Next Generation Science Standards
- Managing scheduling, logistics and evaluation for Ag in the Classroom initiatives
- Assist with FARM Crate integration and ag-themed educational resources
Nick’s strong background in curriculum design, educator training and data-driven program management makes him a valuable addition to Michigan Farm Bureau’s statewide education team.
Originally from the eastern Upper Peninsula, Nick now lives in Lansing with his wife and their two cats, Mushroom and Quiche Lorraine. He’s also into sports, video games and working on the house.
Share Story
Article Tags
