Melinda Colbert is the Ag Literacy Coordinator for Ogle and Carroll Counties. Melinda grew up on a farm in the Leaf River area. The farm included dairy and beef cows, sheep, and chickens. She graduated from Forreston High School in 1993. She attended Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI, and graduated with a B.S. in secondary education and math.

After graduating from college, she was the Program Director for the Sheboygan Boys & Girls Club. She returned to Lakeland as a Hall Director and Summer Camps & Conferences Director. Since returning to the Leaf River area, Melinda has held several positions with the University of Illinois Extension in Ogle County, including 4-H Community Worker and Fiscal Secretary. Melinda has been the Ag Literacy Coordinator since 2007.