Koinonia Farm

For the past 75 years, Koinonia Farm in SW Georgia has been a radical experiment in Christian living, depending on your definition of "radical". It would be easy to miss the entrance to Koinonia Farm. Nine miles south of Plains, Georgia, on a quiet stretch of Georgia State Route 49, past rusted tractors, houses fluctuating between stateliness and disrepair, and innumerable Baptist churches, the sudden pull-off to Koinonia is marked only by a plain wooden sign, embellished with the name of the farm, a cross, and an arrow pointing across the street to a dirt drive. Turning into the drive, you might see an older white man in dusty overalls, hauling a wheelbarrow; or an African-American woman wearing an elastic hairnet, carrying a tray of baked goods; or others of all ages and ethnicities. You would see a scattering of small but attractive houses and workshops, farm equipment, and hundreds of acres of serene pasture. It is difficult to imagine that, nearly 60 years ago, this tiny and tranquil place drew the rage of the entire county, and faced not only economic boycotts, but persecution, isolation, and terrorism.

The farm was founded in 1942, established principally by a white Baptist minister named Clarence Jordan. Born July 29, 1912, in Talbotton, Georgia, Jordan attended University of Georgia's College of Agriculture with the mission of improving farming techniques for underprivileged farmers and sharecroppers. After earning his agriculture degree, Jordan enrolled in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, receiving his Ph.D. in Greek New Testament in 1939. A conversant and commanding speaker, Jordan was invited to minister, teach, and lead missions in cities and towns across the South, where he preached pacifism and racial equality, often over the objections of his white colleagues.

Over the years many things have changed on the farm, but it now is a refuge for many people who want to take time out of busy lives to rest, relax, work alongside the staff and members at the farm, participate in chapel and devotional prayer times, or just read and take quiet walks in the woods and on surrounding trails. It is the birthplace for Habitat for Humanity, which moved into nearby Americus, Georgia, just about 15 minutes East of the farm. In Americus you can visit the Global Village and the original Habitat for Humanity and Fuller Center offices, both established by Millard and Linda Fuller, who originally established Partnership Housing at Koinonia Farm in the late 1960's and early 1970's. There are many historic places to visit near the farm, including a trip to Plains to hear former President Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church.

Community meals are served Monday to Friday at 12 noon for lunch, and Tuesday through Thursday for dinner at 6 PM. Please let us know in advance that you are coming so we will have enough for everyone. Breakfast and other meals are on your own. All housing has at minimal a refrigerator, coffee pot, and sometimes a hotplate. If you are looking for a full kitchen, choose one of the houses. The dining hall community kitchen is also available when not in use for community meal preparation. There is a full kitchen in the "coffee house" for tent campers and RV'rs.

Fly into Atlanta and take Groome Shuttle to Columbus, GA. If you are able to rent a car, you can drive the rest of the way to Koinonia. If you would like a ride from Columbus to the farm ($35 one way), arrange it when you make your reservation. You can also take a connecting flight to Albany, GA, and then rent a car or arrange for pick up there when you make your reservation. There is also Greyhound Bus transportation to Albany, GA, and you can arrange for us to pick you up when you make your reservation.