Founded in 1942 by Georgia native Clarence Jordan, his wife Florence, and Martin and Mabel England, Koinonia Farm was an agriculture-based religious community that, during the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, became known for pacifism, equality, and interracial cooperation as Jordan traveled throughout the U.S. preaching and speaking out against racism. Members of Koinonia Farm repeatedly endured violence, boycotting, and ostracism from the local community. Koinonia inspired several grassroots organizations, including Habitat for Humanity International. Jordan’s “Cotton Patch” translation of the New Testament was adapted in 1981 into the successful off-Broadway musical, The Cotton Patch Gospel.