Dairy West has a trio of new directors. John Brubaker, owner of Knott Run Dairy in Buhl, will fill Seat #2 and serve until March 2025. Pete Wiersma, owner of Fairview Dairy in Buhl, will fill Seat #5 and serve until March 2025. And Debra Reeves, co-owner of White Harvest Farms in Buhl, will fill the newly added Seat #9 and serve until March of next year.

The board is staggering Seat #9 by one year to fit it into the proper rotation. Meanwhile, outgoing Dairy West board chair Steve Ballard resigned Seat #8 at the end of December, with the Idaho Dairy Products Commission slated to appoint his replacement, who will serve until March 2025.

The Dairy West board elected its slate of new officers, with Fullmer Farms owner Chace Fullmer of Sigurd, UT, serving as chair. Brubaker was named vice chair. Heglar Creek Farms owner Josh Webb of Declo, was elected treasurer. And Leak Family Farm owner Matt Leak of Cornish, UT, will serve as secretary. Their terms run through the end of the year.


"As the saying goes, the highest distinction is serving others," Dairy West CEO Karianne Fallow said. "Steve Ballard, who has served for the last four years as chair of the Dairy West board, has demonstrated tireless commitment to the dairy industry and to the long-term prosperity of dairy farmers throughout Idaho and Utah. Chace Fullmer, who has stepped in as the new chair, has also dedicated countless hours to serve in leadership roles for dairy farmers. In his new role, Chace will oversee the work we do on behalf of dairy farmers and the dairy industry."

The Idaho Dairy Products Commission also elected a slate of new officers. Sun Ridge Dairy co-owner Mike Siegersma of Nampa was named chair. Diamond 3 Dairy owner Brian Esplin of Shelley will serve as vice chair. Dairy West training and development manager Melinda Wolfe was appointed secretary. Their terms run through the end of the year.

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