Ainsley Olsen

Ainsley Olsen is the horticulture program coordinator with University of Illinois Extension as of May 2025, where she supports and recruits Master Gardener volunteers, coordinates programming, and brings garden-based education to the community.

Ainsley completed her Master Gardener training in 2021 and internship in 2022. With a deep passion for community and conservation, she quickly became involved in projects focused on food security and pollinator protection. As a Master Gardener she led the educational booth at the Peoria RiverFront Market, where the team of volunteers share gardening information, answers questions, and connects people with the program. A lover of native plants and sustainability, Ainsley is dedicated to making gardening more accessible and impactful for people and the planet.

Originally from the sun-baked deserts of West Texas, Ainsley’s professional background spans accounting, business operations, and creative education. Before joining Extension, she worked in oilfield and telecommunications industries, managing everything from financial systems to field operations. She is also a lifelong dancer and spent over a decade teaching and directing youth dance programs—an experience that shaped her love for building community through creative, hands-on learning.

Ainsley lives in central Illinois with her husband of 10 years, Conoley, and their red heeler mix, Rosie Belle, who enthusiastically assists at the RiverFront Market by greeting visitors and making new gardener friends.