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The board of directors of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative has appointed a new board member.

Gordon Speirs, a dairy farmer from Brillion, Wis., was selected to fill the vacant board seat held by the late John Pagel.

“I am looking forward to working with the board and advocating for our members on national policies that affect them,” Speirs said. “The best way to make a difference is to be involved and engaged. I am passionate about helping policymakers understand what’s important to dairy farmers.”

Speirs has been an active member of Edge, serving on its Committee on Political Affairs and going to Washington, D.C., to lobby lawmakers on issues such as environmental regulations, trade, milk labeling and a sustainable workforce.

Speirs owns and operates Shiloh Dairy LLC in Brillion, Wis., with his wife and one of his sons. He started farming with his family in Alberta, Canada, and moved to the United States in 2003 to grow the business. The family was honored as the 2016 Wisconsin Family Business of the Year.

Edge President Brody Stapel said Speirs will bring a unique perspective to the board.

“With his experience in dairy farming in both Canada and the United States, Gordon sees the bigger picture when it comes to challenges facing our members,” Stapel said. “His enthusiasm for dairy and his knowledge on policies that affect farmers will be a great asset on the board.”

The board seat had been open since Pagel’s unexpected passing in February. The term for Speirs will run through 2020.

About Edge:

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative provides dairy farmers in nine Midwestern states with a powerful voice — the voice of milk — in Congress, with customers and within their communities. Under the Federal Milk Marketing Orders, the co-op also provides milk testing verification services and market information. Edge, based in Green Bay, Wis., is one of the top cooperatives in the country based on the amount of milk produced by its members. For more information, visit voiceofmilk.com.