Elawa Farm Foundation

Elawa Farm Foundation is a wedding venue in Park Forest, IL, operating from a historic farm property at 1401 Middlefork Dr. The foundation stewards the farm as a center for experiential learning, with a mission to broaden access to education, nutritious food, and the local food system. Its grounds are free to access from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year, and free on-site parking is available. The site hosts weddings and private events, along with public programs that have included a Harvest Benefit Dinner, a Dead Head Flower Fest, community dinners such as Burger Night and Summer Grill Night, a tortilla-making session with Chef Ernesto Rodriguez, and Adventures at Elawa. A cafe also operates on the property.

The farm was built in 1917 for A. Watson and Elsa Armour; A. Watson Armour was a member of the family that owned Armour & Company. The farm group was historically known as Elawa Farm, a composite of Elsa and A. Watson Armour, and later as LeWa Farm, named for Lelia and Wallace Carroll, who purchased the property in 1954. The Armour family hired architect Alfred Hopkins, who worked with Chicago architect David Adler, who designed the residence and outbuildings. In 1918, landscape architect Ralph Rodney Root designed the grounds, known for a formal approach in contrast to the prairie style of the period. Elawa Farm Foundation was formed in 2002 to raise support for the historic restoration of the property, and a local group of residents proposed restoring the garden into production. An organic public garden was developed and maintained by local volunteers and garden enthusiasts until garden staff were hired.

The foundation is led by Executive Director Laura Calvert and an events team that includes an events director and events associate, alongside a farm manager, assistant farm manager, executive chef, pastry chef, sous chef, cafe lead, bar lead, resident sommelier and mixologist, and an edible garden specialist.

Elawa Farm Foundation holds a rating of 4.70, reflecting a positive rating from the customers who have reviewed it.