Our Mission
Golden Triangle Resource Council brings farmers, ranchers, Native people and other concerned citizens together from Cascade, Chouteau, Teton, and Pondera Counties to build diverse coalitions in service of the land and the people who live here. We fight for the quality of our land, water, air, and food, and we work as an example and an active force for free, transparent, decentralized and democratic governing institutions that treat all Montanans equally.
Our Vision
Golden Triangle Resource Council (GTRC) is rooted in a heritage of cooperation among neighbors, family agriculture, respect for indigenous culture and knowledge, and strong community bonds. We honor and seek to build healthy, resilient natural ecosystems, and to create the conditions for strong, sustainable, self-sufficient and harmonious communities for generations to come.
Current Campaigns
Food Hub Support and Outreach
GTRC has been working with the newly formed Montana Food Hub to get the word out about supporting local food. In 2024, GTRC hosted two Soil Crawls in Loma and Great Falls to educate folks about gardening and soil practices, and invited board members of the Montana Food Hub to share about the model. In June 2025, with the support of GTRC, the Montana Food Hub incorporated and held their first meeting. GTRC will continue to help promote local food and support the Food Hub as they grow.
Clean Water
In late 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened a comment period to convert two unused wells in Pondera County to dump biofuel waste from a local company. Local farmers, ranchers, and citizens are deeply concerned about water quality and leakage of material. Our members have attended multiple public meetings and sent in comments to demand that the EPA look into the composition of this waste material and the risk it poses to local water sources. Local residents are organizing to support hydrology studies and consider possible legal action.
Issues We Work On
Clean Energy
Along with bringing C-PACE to our communities, we are working to make going solar easier and more accessible in the Golden Triangle area.
Agriculture and Local Foods
Members are working to support farmers and ranchers in the Golden Triangle area by providing accessible, hybrid meeting spaces and planning their Annual Meeting around the growing season. We also helped to host a Soil Crawl at the Quinn Farm in July 2022.
Community Building
We’re focused on hosting outreach events, supporting and expanding access to GTRC meetings, and building the GTRC community in the four county affiliate range.
Leadership
Chair
Karen Thornton
Vice-Chair
Jessica Stiles
Secretary
Shelby Kuenning
Treasurer
Steve Grout
Northern Plains Board Representatives
Jasmine Krotkov
Gordon Whirry
Community Organizer
Bryce Johnston
bryce@northernplains.org