We are saddened by the recent passing of Helen Waller, farmer, organizer and advocate and one of the guiding lights of the family farm movement. In 1985, during the height of the 1980s farm crisis, she joined forces with Willie Nelson to help organize the first Farm Aid concert. The funds raised by the concert enabled her and other family farmers and advocates to start the National Family Farm Coalition.

Helen was born and raised on a farm in eastern Montana. She married her high school sweetheart, Gordy, who also grew up on a farm. After his military service during the Korean War, they returned to Montana and raised five children while operating their farm and ranch together.

As NFFC’s first board president, Helen was a passionate voice for independent farmers and ranchers and for the stewardship and protection of natural resources. For 55 years, Helen also served her community as a member of Northern Plains Resource Council and as a board member of RAFI. We invite our members and allies to honor Helen’s memory by learning more about her life and all the ways she empowered the people who grow our food.

Helen’s funeral which will be live-streamed today at 11:30 CT / 12:30 ET by the Stevenson Funeral Home. The video link is in her obituary.