Today we’d like to introduce you to Teri Storelli.
Hi Teri, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
MCARLM began as a community effort to preserve the agricultural and rural heritage of Monterey County before those stories and artifacts were lost. What started with passionate volunteers and a shared vision has grown into a unique museum campus in San Lorenzo Park featuring historic buildings, agricultural exhibits, tractors, and hands-on experiences that celebrate the people who shaped the Salinas Valley.
Today, the museum serves as both a preservation organization and a community destination. We provide free and low-cost educational programs, field trips, internships, and special events while welcoming visitors to experience the history of agriculture, ranching, irrigation, and rural life in an authentic and engaging way. Our goal has always been to make history feel alive and accessible while showcasing the incredible agricultural legacy that continues to define Monterey County today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No journey like this is completely smooth. Like many small museums and nonprofits, one of our biggest ongoing challenges has been funding. While Monterey County owns the collections and park infrastructure, MCARLM works continuously to secure support for staffing, educational programming, artifact preservation, special events, and restoration projects.
We’ve learned to be creative and community-driven. Grants, donations, memberships, partnerships, and dedicated volunteers have all played an important role in helping us grow and continue serving the public. Those challenges have also strengthened our mission and pushed us to think innovatively about how we preserve history and make it accessible to everyone.
The encouraging part is that we continue to grow, expand programming, and welcome new audiences—proof that the community values preserving and sharing Monterey County’s agricultural story.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I serve as the Executive Director of the Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum (MCARLM), where I specialize in nonprofit leadership, educational programming, community engagement, grant development, and large-scale event planning. Much of my work centers on bringing history and agriculture to life through hands-on experiences, youth programs, internships, exhibits, and community partnerships.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—museum director, event planner, grant writer, educator, volunteer coordinator, and community advocate. I also serve on the King City Planning Commission and have been involved in numerous local organizations and initiatives focused on education, youth development, arts, and community improvement.
What I’m most proud of is helping create opportunities for others—whether that’s giving students hands-on learning experiences, helping young interns build confidence and job skills, or developing programs and events that bring communities together. I’m especially passionate about making museums and history feel welcoming, relevant, and accessible to everyone.
I love to turn ideas into action. I’ve learned how to build meaningful programs and memorable experiences even with limited resources by relying on creativity, collaboration, and strong community relationships. I genuinely believe some of the best things happen when people come together around a shared purpose, and that philosophy guides much of the work I do.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I loved stories, history, and understanding how things worked and where they came from. I’ve always had a soft spot for old places, antiques, and the kinds of traditions and memories that connect people to one another.
Personality-wise, I was probably a mix of creative and responsible. I cared deeply about people and tended to jump into projects, volunteer work, or anything that felt meaningful. I’ve never been someone who sits still for very long—I like building things, organizing ideas, and finding ways to make things happen.
I grew up in South Monterey County, and that small-town environment shaped me in a lot of ways. Community mattered, relationships mattered, and helping out was just something people did. Those values stuck with me and really influenced the path I took later in life.
Looking back, many of the things I loved growing up—history, storytelling, education, community involvement, and preserving meaningful places—are still very much at the center of who I am and the work I do today.
Pricing:
- Museum Entry: FREE
- Park Entry: FREE
- Parking: FREE
- Camping available through Monterey County Parks
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mcarlm.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcarlmuseum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCARLM
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MCARLM
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/monterey-county-agricultural-and-rural-life-museum-king-city-2?osq=monterey+county+agricultural+and+rural+life+museum
