Elaina has always been drawn to understanding and deepening our connection to the land and each other, which led her to pursue a learn-by-doing B.S. in Animal Science and M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition. Both degrees ultimately revealed to her the depth of interdependence between land and animals – including humans.

Following her studies, she sought to continue her boots-on-the-ground education by working with reindeer in remote parts of Alaska, herding and milking Sarda sheep in Italy, and frequenting horse-back excursions with local ranchers outside of Yosemite National Park to check on cattle in some of the most rugged terrain.

Her own first-hand knowledge of the impacts of being connected with the land as well as witnessing her only brother’s internal transformation through wilderness recovery programs following his battle with heroine has solidified Elaina’s commitment to getting kids outside and addressing the root cause of breakdowns in society through agriculture and land-connection.

Refonte Ventures stems from these passion areas and an urgency to accelerate the rate of adoption of regenerative agriculture through the writing of revolutionary ideas and rethinking the priorities of some of the largest industries.