Supporting Farmers and Driving Agricultural Innovation: Helena Agri-Enterprises
October 16, 2026
For nearly 70 years, Helena Agri-Enterprises has been helping farmers improve productivity, embrace innovation, and prepare for the future of agriculture.
During the Western Ag Network's live coverage of the Montana State University Homecoming Parade in Bozeman, Helena's Bill Smith joined broadcasters Lane Nordlund and Russell Nemetz to discuss the company's history, commitment to growers, and investments in the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Founded in 1957 in West Helena, Arkansas, the company has grown into a major agricultural retailer while maintaining its original mission of delivering value to farmers.
"That's the core of our organization, to bring value to our growers," Smith said.
One way Helena continues to deliver that value is through innovative products developed at its research laboratory in Memphis, Tennessee. The company is also taking that technology directly to rural communities through its Mobile Innovation Learning Center.
"We do a lot of really neat things at our laboratory in Memphis, Tennessee, where we're working on innovative products for producers from across the country and really around the world," Smith explained.
The traveling innovation center has already visited several states, including Michigan and the Carolinas, with plans to eventually make its way to Montana.
Beyond product development, Smith emphasized Helena's commitment to developing agriculture's future workforce through internship opportunities and educational outreach.
The company's Innovation Never Stops video series highlights agriculture across the United States and helps bring new ideas and technology into classrooms, particularly in rural communities.
"Youth is core to us. We have a phenomenal internship program," Smith said. "We're really working with ag programs to bring that energy and that knowledge around innovation to those classrooms in rural America."
Smith also shared Helena's perspective on sustainability, emphasizing the importance of keeping farmers and the agricultural industry successful for generations to come.
"Our definition of sustainability is making sure that we're here another year and long term for our future," Smith said.
Watch the full conversation with Helena's Bill Smith from the MSU Homecoming Parade here.
