Helen and Scott Nearing were an American couple known for their contributions to the back-to-the-land movement in the 20th century. They gained prominence for their simple lifestyle, which emphasized self-sufficiency, organic farming, and sustainable living. Their book, Living the Good Life, published in 1954, detailed their experiences and philosophies, inspiring many to adopt similar lifestyles. The Nearings moved to Vermont in the 1930s, where they built a homestead and cultivated their own food. They later relocated to Maine, where they continued their practices and wrote extensively about their beliefs in social justice, pacifism, and environmentalism. Their legacy continues to influence modern sustainable living movements.