Koinonia Farm, an intentional community founded in rural Georgia in the 1940s, was a pioneer in the property stewardship movement out of which Equity Trust itself eventually emerged, and it is still going strong more than seventy-five years later. Membersemphasize simple living, racial equality, nonviolent resistance, the sharing of resources, and cooperative work.
It became a flashpoint in the 1950s when the KKK attempted to force it out of the community with boycotting, harassment, and violence. To cope, members created a mail-order business selling pecan products to a worldwide network of supporters (“Help us ship the nuts out of Georgia.”), which it is still operating today. In the 1960s, members began a project to build decent, affordable housing for their neighbors, which eventually grew into Habitat for Humanity International.
These days, Koinonia is still doing important work, such as providing support for immigrants and refugees being processed at a nearby detention center. The farm hosts those allowed to leave camp while awaiting a court date and also families visiting those not allowed to leave.
Our loan is financing an expansion of their pecan orchard and renovation of their processing facility, which sustains them and enables them to continue their outreach around peace and justice. Equity Trust is honored to be working with this iconic organization.