Get to Know Garfield, Georgia

GEORGIA FOLK AND FARM LIFE - If you drive down the quiet roads of Emanuel County, you might just pass through a place that looks small on the map but holds a big piece of Georgia’s rural character.

Welcome to Garfield, Georgia — population 257 at the last census, but don’t let the number fool you. What Garfield may lack in size, it makes up for in heart, history, and community spirit.

A Town Born on the Rails

Garfield was incorporated in 1905, during the height of Georgia’s railroad era. Like many small towns, its story begins with trains — lines that brought goods, travelers, and new life to this part of Emanuel County.

Folks built homes, stores, and churches along the way, forming the bones of a community that still stands today.

Life in a Small Place

Spread across less than a square mile, Garfield is a place where neighbors still wave when you drive by. The rhythms of life are set more by planting seasons, church calendars, and school events than by clocks and traffic lights. It’s the kind of town where a covered dish supper or Sunday sing can still fill a fellowship hall, and where community gatherings carry as much weight as official meetings.

Faith, Family, and Farming

Like much of Emanuel County, Garfield’s roots run deep in agriculture and faith. Farms in the area have produced everything from corn and peanuts to livestock, and family gardens still supply kitchens with fresh vegetables come summer. Churches remain the cornerstone of community life — places where families celebrate milestones, mourn losses, and find strength together.

A Community of Recovery and Renewal

Garfield is also home to two remarkable ministries: New Beginnings In Christ Men’s Recovery Home and His House, a recovery home for women. These ministries don’t just change lives — they change the town itself. After graduation, many of the men and women decide to stay and work around Garfield, adding to the strength of the community.

Our own Wade Peebles often puts it this way: “Old places, and old friends bring back old problems.” For those seeking a fresh start, Garfield offers something rare — a supportive community where faith and fellowship are woven into everyday life. Around here, you’re just as likely to pay for gas at the corner station and wind up in a prayer meeting for someone truly struggling as you are to see a neighbor shepherding a lost goat home.

(That’s not a figure of speech — it’s happened.)

Times are changing in Garfield, and as the community continues to grow, folks here are praying its new residents have the courage and wisdom to keep fighting the good fight.

Looking Ahead: A Gathering of Stories

This Saturday, Garfield will welcome neighbors and friends for the Georgia Folk & Farm Life Gathering & Story Revival. Beginning with a covered dish lunch at 1 p.m., followed by an afternoon of storytelling and music around 3 p.m., the event will highlight exactly what Garfield does best: bringing people together. The gathering will also be recorded for rebroadcast on GeorgiaFolkandFarmLife.com — sharing Garfield’s spirit with an even wider audience.

Whether you come for the food, the fellowship, or the chance to hear a good story, Garfield is ready to greet you.

See you Saturday, y’all!