Helms Farmers Exchange — Moonshine History Front & Back Print Shirt

Description: The Helms Farmers Exchange became an important part of moonshine history when it was a target of one of the most significant joint state and federal liquor enforcement actions in recent Appalachian history:  Operation Lightning Strike.

Bill & Ramsey Helms (RIP) owned and ran the Helm's Farmers Exchange for decades before it was shut down in 1999 for supplying large quantities of sugar and other supplies to local alleged moonshiners.  The Helms brothers were well-liked by their community and, to this day, many people disagree that their selling sugar and jugs to locals was even a criminal offense!

In the words of Bill Helms himself:  "I can't see where we've done anything wrong. I've never been to a still in my life."

The front of this shirt was respectfully created using a few different print ads that we discovered in the Henry County Journal that ran during the years of 1976 and 1977 (which can be viewed here as records kept by the Library of Virginia).

The back of this shirt shows support for the Helms brothers, and remembers them as a significant part of recent moonshine history.

Collection: Explore more designs like this in the Distilling Culture Collection.

Product Features:

• No side seams for a sleek look and reduced waste
• Ribbed knit collar for durability and shape retention
• Shoulder tape for added stability and structure
• Ethically made with 100% ring-spun cotton

Care Instructions:

• Do not dryclean
• Do not bleach
• Tumble dry: low heat
• Iron, steam or dry: low heat
• Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), with similar colors