Classes & Programs

Our core mission is to expand education in the greater Lake County area. We offer an array of engaging and exciting classes offered by both our internal team members, as well as guest educators. Enroll in a class today, and enjoy a wealth of educational experiences at Elawa Farm.

Cooking & Tasting Classes

  • Wisconsin Supper Club


    Wednesday, April 30, 2025
    6 pm - 9 pm

    Chef Mickey will give a nod to our neighbors to the north with a refined but friendly take on the Wisconsin Supper Club. We will talk a bit about what makes the Supper Club a distinct experience from the everyday restaurant and how these ‘clubs’ became so important in the Badger State.

    Menu:
    - Wisconsin Beer-Cheese Soup
    - Potato Pancakes with Apple Sauce
    - Roast Pork Tenderloin with Apple Brandy Sauce and Sautéed Sauerkraut

    Cocktail: Brandy Old Fashioned


  • Cinco De Mayo Celebration


    Monday, May 5, 2025
    6 pm - 9 pm

    Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this cooking class! Learn from Chef Mickey Knutson as he teaches you about the taco culture of Mexico. You''ll learn how to make tortillas from scratch and 3 types of tacos. Baja style, Al Pastor and grilled skirt steak along with an amazing array of homemade salsas.

    What’s a Cinco de Mayo celebration without tequila? Not Cinco de Mayo! You will also enjoy a margarita made from scratch to sip on while learning from Chef Mickey. Grab your loved ones and come enjoy some delicious Mexican food and drinks. Salud!


  • Riding the Korean Wave with Chiyo Takemoto


    Friday, May 9, 2025
    6 pm - 8 pm

    Join Chiyo Takemoto, as she celebrates AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month, by introducing you to the first ever artisanal Korean sool imported by Master Sommelier Kyungmoon Kim. We’ll make cocktails using some Korean rice wines called Makgeolli and Chungju as well as a soju and plum wine. Korean snacks will be served!






  • Simple, Elegant Springtime


    Wednesday, May 14, 2025
    6 pm - 9 pm

    As Spring arrives with a bounty of perfect, beautiful produce, these fresh ingredients demand the simplest preparations and presentations. In this class, Chef Mickey Knutson will review some of the foundational techniques for bringing lively and tender spring ingredients to the plate with simple elegance.

    Menu:
    - Spring Pea and Asparagus Salad with Soft Herbs
    - Green Fettuccini with Parmesan, Ramps, and Pine Nuts
    - Pan Roasted Chicken with Roasted Spring Radishes and their Greens

    Cocktail: The Last Word

  • Viva Bistro!


    Wednesday, May 21, 2025
    6 pm - 9 pm


    Want to learn a bit about the history and traditions behind an often overlooked and under-appreciated arena of the French cuisine: BISTRO? Known for simple, satisfying food and a casual but attentive style of service, Bistro is more than a type of restaurant… it’s a style of cooking and presentation that we can take home and replicate without too much fussy technique. Chef Mickey will examine contemporary bistro with fresh takes on three classic bistro dishes.

    Menu:
    - Beef Tartare
    - Spring Jardiniere with Olive Vinaigrette
    - Grilled Atlantic Salmon with Sauce Verte

    Cocktail: French 75

  • Bagel Brunch Workshop with Micah Siva


    Saturday, May 31, 2025
    10 am - 12:30 pm

    Love bagels? Learn to make your own from scratch in this hands-on brunch workshop with cookbook author Micah Siva! Discover the secrets to creating the perfect bagel, and round out your spread with flavored schmears, vibrant beet and dill cured gravlax, and classic black and white cookies.

    In this interactive class, you’ll shape and bake mini bagels, mix up schmears three delicious ways, and watch a live demo on how to cure gravlax at home. Then, sit down to enjoy a full bagel brunch with your fellow students. Everyone will leave with a half dozen bagels to take home—and books will be available for purchase and signing.

    This is a hands on class.

Garden, Farm & Art Classes & Programs

  • Hooves & Hugs


    April & May 2025
    Saturdays, 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am

    Get ready for a heartwarming experience with our friendly goats! Step into their playful world and enjoy a fun-filled session of cuddling, petting, and interacting with our lovable furry friends. This unforgettable encounter is perfect for all ages!

    Important Details:
    Pre-registration is required.
    Tickets are required for both children and accompanying adults. Children under 2 do not need a ticket.

    A few helpful reminders:
    - No outside pets, including service animals, are allowed in the farm animal area.
    - Wear closed-toe shoes and comfy clothes. Our goats are affectionate and energetic — they may hop onto your lap or nuzzle against you, so expect a little farm-friendly mess!
    - Arrive on time! Sessions start promptly as scheduled and last 15 minutes. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

  • Hooves & Hugs


    April & May 2025
    Sundays, 10 am, 10:30 am, 11 am

    Get ready for a heartwarming experience with our friendly goats! Step into their playful world and enjoy a fun-filled session of cuddling, petting, and interacting with our lovable furry friends. This unforgettable encounter is perfect for all ages!

    Important Details:
    Pre-registration is required.
    Tickets are required for both children and accompanying adults. Children under 2 do not need a ticket.

    A few helpful reminders:
    - No outside pets, including service animals, are allowed in the farm animal area.
    - Wear closed-toe shoes and comfy clothes. Our goats are affectionate and energetic — they may hop onto your lap or nuzzle against you, so expect a little farm-friendly mess!
    - Arrive on time! Sessions start promptly as scheduled and last 15 minutes. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

  • Goat Stroll


    Fridays in May
    12 pm - 12:30 pm

    Join our Assistant Farm Manager, Georgia DeSilva, and our adorable goats for an energizing walk around the farm! This guided experience offers the perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Elawa Farm while interacting with our friendly goats. It’s a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with our charming animals.

    Registrants must to be over 10 years or older to hold the leash. Anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult.










  • Container Vegetable Gardening


    Saturday, May 10, 2025
    10 am - 11:30 am

    Dreaming of fresh, homegrown vegetables and herbs but short on space or good quality soil? Container gardening is the perfect solution! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn everything you need to know to grow thriving plants in containers—covering the best soil mixes, container options, space considerations, sunlight and watering needs, and the right fertilizers to maximize your harvest. Plus, you’ll get to plant your very own herb container to take home and enjoy all season long.


  • Feathery Friends: A Chicken Experience


    Fridays in May, 2025
    9:30 am & 11:30 am

    Come meet our curious and friendly chickens on a guided visit with Assistant Farm Manager, Georgia DeSilva! This hands-on experience will enable you to observe our chickens up close, learn about their unique personalities, and feed and pet them. This is an enjoyable and interactive experience for animal lovers of all ages!

    Class will be held in the Goat Paddock.




  • Feathery Friends: A Chicken Experience


    Saturdays in May, 2025
    9:30 am & 11:30 am

    Come meet our curious and friendly chickens on a guided visit with Assistant Farm Manager, Georgia DeSilva! This hands-on experience will enable you to observe our chickens up close, learn about their unique personalities, and feed and pet them. This is an enjoyable and interactive experience for animal lovers of all ages!

    Class will be held in the Goat Paddock.




  • Watercolor Painting: A Spring Landscape


    Friday, May 16, 2025
    1 pm - 4 pm

    Explore your creativity and the beauty of Elawa Farm through watercolor! In this fun and relaxing class, you’ll learn the essential techniques to create a stunning landscape painting.
    With step-by-step guidance, you’ll pick up valuable tips and tricks to bring your painting to life. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this class is all about enjoying the process and discovering the magic of watercolor. By the end, you’ll have your own masterpiece to take home and the confidence to keep painting!
    All materials are included.



  • Yoga on the Farm


    Saturday, May 24 & 31, 2025
    9 am - 10 am

    Unroll your mat and enjoy the scenery of Elawa Farm’s restored gardens as our Yoga Instructor guides you on an hour-long yoga journey. This class is a blend of many styles of yoga, such as gentle, restorative, power, and vinyasa flow. We'll start off at a slower pace to meditate, breathe, check in with our current state of being, and increase the pace to build heat and let go of energy that no longer serves us. All levels welcomed. Modifications are offered so each human can choose their level of movement needed. The end goal is for your heart to smile, your mind to find peace, and your body to thank you!!

    Note: Yoga mats are not provided - please bring your own.

  • Peonies Galore with Eileen Weber AAF

    Thursday, May 29, 2025
    10 am - 11 am

    Join Eileen Weber, AAF of Lake Forest Flowers to learn all about peonies, a favorite flower of many! Learn how to grow, harvest and design with them. We’ll start with a tour of the Garden and end with a completed floral design of peonies to take home.

    Please bring clippers or floral scissors.







  • Cut Flower Growing Master Class


    Saturday, May 31, 2025
    9 am - 12 pm

    Join our Director of Farm Operations, Elaine Madansky, for an immersive workshop in sustainable cut flower gardening. This class will walk you through every stage of cut flower garden management, from planning and planting to harvesting and post-harvest care. Learn eco-friendly techniques for starting seeds, providing plant support, pinching, deadheading, harvesting, and storing a diverse selection of cut flowers. Be ready to spend time outdoors and gain practical experience in sustainable flower cultivation.









Youth Classes & Programs

  • Jamberry

    Every Friday
    10 am & 11:15am


    In this class, Nicole will lead you and your little ones in 45-minutes of collaborative music making. We will connect through music while we sing, dance, move, play and pretend.




  • Adventures at Elawa


    Wednesday, May 7, 2025
    12 pm - 1 pm

    Spring is in full swing! Join us for some fun arts and crafts as we explore Elawa Farm followed by a visit to our furry friends in the barn. We will end with story time in our Discovery Garden. Pending weather.

    This is a drop off class for kids ages 3-5 years old. Parents do not need to purchase a ticket.

  • Adventures at Elawa


    Wednesday, May 14, 2025
    12 pm - 1 pm

    Join us for our final class of the season. Kids will make fruit smoothies and chocolate chip cookies with their classmates followed by some fun games and activities.

    This is a drop off class for kids ages 3-5 years old. Parents do not need to purchase a ticket.


View all of our upcoming classes & programs on our Tock page