Helen Knothe Nearing (February 23, 1904 – September 17, 1995) was an American author, advocate of simple living and a lifelong vegetarian.

[6] In 1934, the couple left New York City for Winhall in rural Vermont, where they had purchased a rather large forest tract for $2200 and a moderate-sized farm for $2500.

[7][2][8] However, in her book Meanwhile, Next Door to the Good Life, Jean Hay Bright documents that the Nearings were both subsidized by substantial inheritances which supported their forest farm.

Hay Bright's calculations make clear that while they were very hard working homesteaders, the Nearings never came close to supporting themselves on their "cash crops" as they state.

[13] In 1954, the couple published Living the Good Life which inspired many young educated Americans, and others in countries like Australia, to endeavour to create simpler, more self-sufficient rural lifestyles and the back-to-the-land movement of the 1960s and 70s.

[19] [2][20] The Maine estate was left for The Trust for Public Land which established the Good Life Center[21] to continue the Nearings' legacy.