Leona Engelkes knows two things well: teaching and farming. You might say she has spent her entire life cultivating growth — by sharing her wisdom with 15 students in a one-room schoolhouse, and then by lending her strength and hard work ethic to the 160-acre farm where she and her husband lived for 33 years.

Inspired by her example, Leona’s son followed in her footsteps and took up the teaching career she had to let go of in order to help out on the farm. He is currently a professor of psychology at Michigan State University.

It takes years for a pearl to be formed out of trial and hardship. Emerald Meadows is honored to be a setting where Leona can shine.