Our Story

Koinonia is a Greek word meaning communion—often translated as community or fellowship. We pronounce it coy-no-KNEE-uh.

Koinonia Farm began in 1942 when a small group of people set out to build a Christian community rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount. They sought to love their neighbors—all their neighbors—without exception.

That commitment came at a cost.

In the 1950s, Koinonia faced intense opposition for its insistence on racial equality and shared economic life. A violent boycott cut the community off from local markets. With few options left, Koinonia did something practical and quietly radical: we began selling what we made by mail.

Pecans. Chocolate. Baked goods. Simple things, carefully made.

What started as a means of survival became a lifeline—and, over time, a way for people far beyond southwest Georgia to take part in Koinonia’s life. Long before "online shopping" was even a phrase, boxes were packed by hand and sent out with hope and gratitude. Every order said the same thing: we’re still here.

That work continues today. We're still here. Boxes are still packed by hand and sent out with hope and gratitude.

The Work Continues

At the heart of it is still the bakery—once affectionately called the “candy kitchen.” It’s where chocolate is poured, dough is mixed, pecans are roasted, and hands are always at work. We choose Fair Trade chocolate and organic and naturally grown ingredients whenever possible—not because they're trendy, but because they align with how we believe work should be done.

When you shop with Koinonia, you’re not just buying food or gifts. You’re helping sustain a community that lives simply, welcomes freely, and works with its hands. Your purchases support daily life at the farm—hospitality, internships, farming, service on and beyond the farm—and the ongoing work of choosing love in ordinary, concrete ways.

We’re glad you’re here.

And if you’re ever nearby our farm in Georgia, come on by. We’d love to welcome you in person. Stay for lunch. Spend the night.

To learn more about life at Koinonia beyond the store, visit koinoniafarm.org.