Sugar hit
OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer shareholders as a 'short sighted sugar hit'.
The Wairarapa farmer, who took over the chairmanship at the co-op's annual general meeting last week, says he's looking forward to the challenge.
"There are plenty of challenges ahead: our co-op is in a strong position and it's important our farmers have a voice," he told Dairy News.
"I'm excited with this opportunity to represent farmers."
Stevenson replaces James Barron who retired after three years in the role.
He was first elected to the council in 2017 from the Wairarapa ward. A fifth generation dairy farmer, he has been milking cows on the family farm for 12 years.
Stevenson owns two farms: a 1,000-cow farm in Carterton and a 500-cow farm in Masterton.
He is currently chair of the council's accountability committee. He was part of the DIRA working group in 2018-9 and currently serves as a council's representative on the board's co-operative relations committee.
