Montana Hutterite colony sees a future of agriculture and manufacturing, aided by the Internet

A year ago, the Golden Valley Hutterite Colony in Ryegate launched a steel fabrication operation after leaders there realized they needed to do something different.

Hutterites have farmed and raised livestock on the Northern Plains of North and South Dakota, Eastern Montana and southwestern Canada for more than 100 years.

But agriculture hasn’t sustained them like it used to, so leaders at the Golden Valley Colony decided they needed to branch out. Their facility produces steel siding, trim and roofs all cut and formed to fit for a contractor or homeowner.

"We have to do this," said Dan Kleinsasser, a colony member and one of the workers in the steel fabrication plant. His son, Josh Kleinsasser, is the operation’s manager.

By ROB ROGERS [email protected]

https://billingsgazette.com/business/features/hutterite-colony-sees-a-future-of-agriculture-and-manufacturing-aided/article_c90e1dd8-4ba5-5000-a81c-73b82debf4df.html#tracking-source=home-top-story