Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative has announced two new additions to its sustainability team. The new team members will support Edge’s Climate-Smart project in partnership with Farmers for Sustainable Food.

Kris Betts has joined the organization as the senior contract officer. In her role, she will manage contracts with various collaborators, including federal, state and local governments, as well as private and non-profit organizations. Betts received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and previously served as a grants management specialist for Macomb County, Michigan.

“I’m happy to be a part of the Edge team and contribute to the work they’re doing with Farmers for Sustainable Food in the Climate-Smart Program,” Betts said. “The concept of building a more environmentally and financially sustainable food system is beyond exciting.”

Betts and her family are relocating from Michigan to Indiana, where she will work from her home office.

Edge is expanding farmer support throughout the Farmers for Sustainable Food Climate-Smart Program by adding an additional sustainability project specialist. Marti Viste will assist farmers with enrollment through data collection and analysis.

Viste has close ties to agriculture and experience working directly with farmers in her previous role as agronomist at Rio Creek Feed Mill in Algoma, Wis. She is the fifth generation on her family’s farm, Vistren Farms, in Door County, Wisconsin.

“I’m deeply passionate about working with farmers and being involved in agriculture,” Viste said. “I’m thrilled to join the Edge team and to work closely with farmers every day, supporting them through the FSF Climate-Smart Program.”

Viste has a bachelor's degree in agricultural education with a minor in animal science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

“Kris and Marti are excellent additions to our team as we continue to expand the FSF Climate-Smart Program and strive to provide the strongest support possible to farmers,” Edge CEO Tim Trotter said. “Their experience, expertise and passion for their work bring great value to our organization and the farmers we seek to empower along their sustainability journeys.”