About Elaine
Elaine Madansky joined Elawa Farm Foundation in 2018 and led the Farm Team through seven seasons of remarkable growth and expansion. Under her leadership, the Farm Team deepened its impact, strengthened community engagement, and expanded educational opportunities. Today, Elaine leads Edible Yards by Elawa Farm, helping community members successfully grow fresh vegetables and cut flowers in their own backyards.
Prior to joining Elawa, Elaine served as Assistant Farm Manager and Crew Lead at Prairie Wind Family Farm in Grayslake and began her journey in sustainable agriculture as an intern at The Talking Farm in Skokie.
Elaine’s path to farming reflects both intention and reinvention. She minored in Horticulture at the University of Illinois but initially built a 27-year career in marketing research. Ultimately, she chose to leave corporate America for the literal “field” of farming, bringing with her strong leadership, operational expertise, and a passion for meaningful work.
Elaine holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and an AAS in Sustainable Agriculture and Greenhouse Production from the College of Lake County. She is especially committed to empowering home gardeners with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to grow food and flowers successfully.
Favorite produce from the garden: Kale
Favorite flower found at Elawa Farm: Dahlias