ELFA facilitates a variety of programs, in collaboration with many neighbors and other local organisations. We are currently working with the Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood Association and tenants at the Roosevelt Center to begin a neighborhood garden on site. Two local churches, Prairie Street Mennonite Church (PSMC) and Fellowship of Hope Mennonite Church (FOH) have been supportive of ELFA endeavors. PSMC has given ELFA yard space surrounding Jubilee House (the voluntary service household, owned by PSMC) to install a neighborhood demonstration/teaching garden, based on permaculture design principles. In other words, this agricultural design will try to mimic relationships found in natural, local ecologies, which help increase yield and sustainability, while decreasing the need for human input. FOH has offered space for another community gardening plot on their property.

ELFA is collaborating with the Summer Academy program (an Arts and Culture program for neighborhood youth) at the Roosevelt Center, and with local 4-H leaders and staff to offer educational programs to youth and children, as well as with Michiana Master Gardeners and the Elkhart Environmental Center to provide workshops for people of all ages. These gardens and educational opportunities will seek to provide space for community members to come together, strengthening not only our food systems and physical health through nutritious produce, but also building stronger relationships within our communities, and, will cultivate a deeper knowledge and awareness of issues related to environmental stewardship and food production.

Along with education and gardening, the growth of food and the gathering together of neighbors cannot be done without celebration! ELFA also seeks to celebrate the strengths and assets of our neighborhoods by bringing people together for social events and community activities, as we celebrate planting, harvesting, or cooking food together.