Mark Peterson’s roots in agriculture run deep, so deep, in fact, that his story begins just ten miles down the road from the Sand Plains Research Farm.
Mark grew up on his family’s farm outside Clear Lake, Minnesota, land his ancestors first homesteaded in 1884. Raised alongside his two brothers on the original homestead, Mark spent nearly every day helping on the family farm, which was operated by his uncle and grandfather. From corn, soybeans, kidney beans, rye, and seed corn to Holstein steers, agriculture wasn’t just part of Mark’s upbringing, it shaped who he is.
From a young age, Mark knew he wanted a career in agriculture. While he once dreamed of running the family farm, he soon realized that path wasn’t a realistic option. A turning point came in high school when he took a job as a field scout for local agronomist Rick Gilbertson. Walking fields, identifying weeds, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, Mark found himself deeply engaged in the hands-on, problem-solving side of crop production.
That experience solidified his passion and helped guide his next steps. Encouraged by Rick, Mark enrolled at North Dakota State University, where he earned a degree in agronomy. After graduation, he explored the commercial side of agriculture as a pesticide applicator in southeastern Minnesota. While the job offered valuable experience, the long hours and distance from home made it clear this wasn’t where he wanted to build his life.
In 2018, Mark accepted a position as a farm equipment operator at the St. Paul Agricultural Experiment Station, marking his first introduction to both the University of Minnesota and agricultural research. What began as hauling manure and spraying plots quickly grew into a larger role as Mark took on increasing responsibility for field operations. Agricultural research proved to be an instant fit, and he envisioned spending his entire career on campus.
That plan changed in late 2020, when his supervisor slid a job description across the desk, Farm Manager at the Sand Plains Research Farm in Becker. Though Mark hadn’t initially considered leaving St. Paul, the opportunity resonated. He applied, was hired in early 2021, and started just after spring planting.
For Mark, the move was transformative. It brought him back home to the landscape and community that shaped him, allowing him to work directly with growers he had known his entire life. While he had always known the Sand Plains Research Farm existed, it had once seemed like a quiet mystery tucked away near the Becker power plant. Now, it was where his experience, passion, and purpose came together.
Mark’s approach to his role today is built on a lifetime of learning. His early years on the family farm taught him how to operate equipment, fix what breaks, and understand the rhythms of planting and harvest. Field scouting sharpened his technical eye, revealing details of crop health many never notice. Commercial agriculture exposed him to the business and decision-making side of the industry, while his time at the St. Paul campus grounded him in the practical realities of research operations.
As Farm Manager, Mark draws on all of these experiences, blending practical farming knowledge with research precision, while continuing to learn with every season and every new challenge.
What Mark finds most rewarding about his work is being on the leading edge of agriculture and irrigation in Minnesota. At Sand Plains, he sees firsthand how research helps growers succeed while challenging misconceptions about agriculture’s sustainability.
“I’m in a position now to raise awareness about all the great things growers and researchers do every day,” Mark says. “And to stand up for the things I grew up loving.”
For those interested in a similar career path, Mark emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind. Agriculture, he notes, is never one-size-fits-all. While tradition matters, progress depends on understanding why things are done a certain way and being willing to evaluate new approaches as technology and knowledge advance.
He also stresses humility, listening to those who came before, learning from their experiences, and remembering that modern agriculture is built on generations of hard work. No matter how advanced the industry becomes, Mark believes meaningful work must ultimately serve growers and remain grounded in agriculture’s roots.
“Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty,” he says. “No job is beneath you. Agriculture started with people working in the heat and dust to make a living, and in many ways, it still is.”