United States

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia

• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland

• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey

• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina

• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Update Spring 07
Arizona is one of eight states where consumers can purchase raw milk in stores and at distribution points, and raw milk is now widely available in the state. However, the United Dairymen of Arizona had legislation introduced—SB 1367—that would have restricted the sale of raw milk to the farm. Fortunately, the bill was defeated. We’ll keep a close watch to see whether the bill is reintroduced next year.

Update 22 April 06
Crème de la Moo is again state permitted and certified organic with new organic dairy, Save Your Dairy LLC. Retail sales began at the Farm Shoppe 20 December 2005 and to select retail stores 20 March 2006 on finding an affordable state-approved refrigerated van.

Update 17 April 06
On the 15th of December 2005 Creme de la Moo was state permitted and certified organic to bottle raw milk with new organic dairy, Save Your Dairy LLC. A single impassioned investor made the new dairy possible. Creme de la Moo owners have worked tirelessly to make it happen and exceed all state and organic requirements. Arizona once again has organic raw milk.

Update 24 AUG 05
In March, raw milk became available in Tucson stores, thanks to the efforts of Judi Dawn and her company Crème de la Moo. A contract had been worked out with a local organic dairy, Mombe Dairy, to purchase their raw milk for bottling. However, no sooner had her products appeared in stores than the United Dairy folks of Arizona met in secret and then reneged on her contract with the dairy, in violation of previous agreements. They are now looking into options to get the business going again.

Update Spring 07
CBS Evening News featured Organic Pastures Dairy in a February
20 segment on probiotics. The piece contained extremely positive reporting
on the benefits of raw milk, and no detractors.

Update 24 AUG 05
Organic Pastures now has a new distributor which is putting their raw milk in 500 stores up from 225. Demand is so great that they are selling all of their milk from about 330 cows, which graze on pasture and are even milked in the pasture via a portable milking parlor.

Read more updates from Organic Pastures of Kerman, CA.

Details
Guidestone Farm was given clearance to operate a cow-share program by the Colorado health department in 1994. For eight years, they have operated quietly, without any problems, providing raw milk to more than 150 families. Now other farmers are becoming interested in doing cow-share programs—more and more people want access to raw milk—so naturally the state is trying to shut the program down. In a letter dated February 27, 2003, Dan Trimberger of the Consumer Protection Division announced proposed regulatory changes that would make cow-share programs illegal.

State officials recently met with consumers to discuss the proposed changes—and were unprepared for the quality of the testimony they heard. Consumers argued for their right to freedom of choice, health professionals delineated the health benefits of raw milk, and two lawyers—one for Guidestone and one for the Colorado Farmers' Union—pointed out that legislation against cow share programs would be unconstitutional. Officials left the meeting with their tails between their legs, stating that the current law would stand until further deliberations.

Update 24 AUG 05
Raw milk lovers are celebrating the passage of a bill to legitimize cow-share programs in the state, signed into law by the governor on April 22. Says James Dean, the lawyer who guided this bill through many hurdles: “What a marvelous effort this was on the part of hundreds of people. It literally took the organized effort of hundreds. Without each of them, we might not have made
it. . . . I often think that people do not realize the degree of effort it takes to turn government around. People often do not recognize the various ties to different interest groups which must be built and the compromises that must be reached for this kind of effort to be successful.”

Update, Summer 2006:
Steve Campbell and Peter Dill are working with Mary Patton, the Idaho state agricultural representative to come up with rules, regulations and testing protocols for micro-dairy on-farm sales of raw milk. Steve can be contacted at trinityc3@frontiernet.net.

Update, 18 NOV 2004
An employee in the Illinois Department of Health told me of two additional conditions farms selling raw milk must comply with:

1. No advertising the sale of raw milk.
2. Customers must bring their own individual containers.
3. The customer MUST put the milk from your container into their container.

You can NOT sell or give away the milk in the containers you store it in because then you would be considered a bottling facility and subject to state regulations.

The state official also said that if the farmer has just a few cows and sells raw milk only on the farm not to pasteurization plants, not subject to inspection, etc., it is not necessary to comply with state regulations on the production of milk.

Details
A group of farmers and consumers is working on the liberalization of raw milk sales in Indiana and several active cow-share programs are underway, with state approval. If you would like to help, contact Steve Bonney at or (765) 463-9366.

Update, Spring 07
In what may turn out to be the most important test case yet for
the raw milk movement, the United States Food and Drug Administration has recently sent a “Warning Letter” to Indiana farmer David Hochstetler of
Forest Grove Dairy, informing him that the agency has determined David
distributed unpasteurized milk and cream for human consumption in
interstate commerce, violating the regulation codified in Title 21 Code of
Federal Regulations, section 1240.61(a) [21 CFR 1240.61]. David has
entered into herd lease agreements with consumer cooperatives in Michigan
and Illinois under the terms of which he provides raw dairy products to
the cooperatives’ members. David has indicated that he will contest FDA’s
finding of a violation on the grounds that the lease agreements are
private contracts not subject to the agency’s jurisdiction. Many consumers
are currently able to obtain raw dairy products from out-of-state sources
only. FDA enforcement action against David Hochstetler could make
suppliers of raw dairy products more reluctant to ship interstate,
effectively denying to many the freedom to consume foods of their choice.
Conversely, an FDA decision not to enforce the regulation against David
would make producers more willing to ship raw dairy products interstate
and would increase their chances of being able to opt out of the dairy
cooperative system and the poverty-level prices paid its members. 21 CFR
1240.61 is an oppressive regulation which makes no distinction between
milk from confinement cows and milk from cows on pasture. It particularly
penalizes farmers like David Hochstetler who have an exemplary track
record for producing clean, safe milk. For many years David held a Grade
A license from the state of Indiana; during that time, tests for bacteria
in the milk he produced consistently showed levels well below the limit
required for pasteurized milk under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO),
the governing document for interstate shipments of milk to be sold at
retail. Overturning the regulation in court would be costly and take years
to accomplish. A more realistic goal would be to put enough public
pressure on FDA so that they don’t enforce the regulation. We have sent
out an Action Alert asking our members nationwide to contact FDA
officials.

Update, Winter 2006
In a related incident, on October 20, agents from the Indiana Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) visited the farm of an Amish dairy farmer and member of the Family Farms Coop in Middlebury, Indiana. Agents gained permission for an inspection of the dairy by threatening to return with a search warrant and the state police if refused. Agents returned on Monday, October 23 with an affidavit of the inspection and interview details for the farmer to sign, which he refused. Milk deliveries are continuing as before and no charges have been filed against the farmer.

Update, August 2007
Indiana: Richard Hebron and the other members of Family Farms Cooperative (FFC) have a lease agreement with David Hochstetler, the owner of Forest Grove Dairy in Middlebury, Indiana, pursuant to which they obtain raw milk and raw milk products. When Michigan Department of Agriculture executed the search warrant on the Hebron’s farm, they found copies of the lease contract about which they alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Shortly afterwards, FDA sent an inspector to the Forest Grove Dairy, and several months later (February 8, 2007) issued a warning letter to Hochstetler. The letter alleged that Hochstetler had violated the federal regulation (21 CFR 1240.61) prohibiting the delivery into interstate commerce of raw milk and raw milk products in final package form for human consumption. After meeting with FDA officials March 6,
Hochstetler sent a written response to the agency on March 20 denying he had violated the federal regulation. Hochstetler claimed that the regulation only prohibited the sale of raw milk in interstate commerce and that his lease contract with FFC did not constitute a sale. He also stated that enforcing the regulation against him would be discriminatory since the raw milk produced at his farm consistently tested well below the bacteriological standards required by the federal government for pasteurized milk to be shipped in interstate commerce. At this time, FDA has yet to respond to Hochstetler’s letter. If FDA does take enforcement action against Hochstetler, they will stop the distribution of raw milk products across state lines to members of FFC. While MDA has acknowledged that herd lease agreements are not against the law in Michigan, it has indicated that if requested by FDA it will assist in stopping the distribution of raw dairy to FFC due to a cooperative agreement it has with the federal government.

Update, Spring 07
Kentuckians for Raw Milk (www.kyrealmilk.com), led by WAPF
member Ray Kruse, is mounting a well-orchestrated campaign for passage of HB 298, which would legalize raw milk sales in Kentucky. Their efforts
include press releases, public service announcements and contacts with
legislators and government officials. Unfortunately, the bill has been
sent to the Health and Welfare Committee for review, rather than to the
Agriculture and Small Business Committee, where they have more support.
Still, there are members of Health and Welfare who support the bill.

Update, Fall 2006:
There is a new website created by producers in Kentucky.
Kentuckians for Real Raw Milk: www.kyrealmilk.com

Update, Summer 2006:
KENTUCKY: The House Agriculture Committee narrowly defeated a bill to legalize raw milk sales. Advocates are not giving up and plan to re-introduce the bill next year.

Update, Winter 2006
Gary Oaks--who was so rudely treated by state and federal agents during a drop off in Ohio for his cow share owners (see Wise Traditions, Summer 2006)--has moved to a new farm, where he expects less harassment from his hostile neighbor. He continues to operate his cow share program, but only in the state of Kentucky. Meanwhile, raw milk supporters are cautiously optimistic about passage of legislation allowing on-farm sales of raw milk next year.

Update, Winter 2006
Double O Farms, which provides milk through a cow share program, has enjoyed outstanding support from its shareholders since a harassment incident against owner Gary Oakes last March, which occured while he was delivering milk in Ohio. Shareholders have helped with milking, bottling, dispensing . . . and all the bills, to help the farm get back on track. (See the wonderful article by David E. Gumpert posted at www.businessweek.com/smallbiz.) Meanwhile, a bill to legalize the sale of raw milk in Kentucky has sponsors in both the House and the Senate, thanks to efforts by the Kentucky Campaign for Real Milk, headed by Ray Kruse. Hearings will take place in early 2007.

Details
Cow-share programs are greatly needed in this state. Spiritual Food for the New Millennium, a Bethesda food co-op, is spearheading efforts to change the regulations and set up a farm-share program based on the Wisconsin model. They are working with a biodynamic farmer in the Eastern Shore and with Edgar J. Asebey, a lawyer with experience in environmental and regulatory law. Tim Wightman will be helping them with technical advice. What's needed is help with the financing. This is a key program and one that could really expand the Campaign for Real Milk. If you are interested in helping, contact Edgar at (240) 354-6870 or .

Update, Summer 2006:
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has proposed a change to the Maryland Administrative Code Section 10.15.06, which would define cow share agreements as a sale and thereby prohibit them as a way for consumers to obtain raw milk in the state of Maryland. The state received almost 100 letters opposing these regulations, which contradict Title 16, Section 401 of Maryland law, which recognizes the right of an owner of dairy livestock to contract with another for the boarding and care of livestock. Those who wrote letters received a form letter from Ted Elkins, Deputy Director, Office of Food Protection and Consumer Health Services, filled with unsupported claims and inaccuracies regarding raw milk. (A reply to Mr. Elkins is posted at realmilk.com.) Our efforts are now focused on persuading a Maryland senator or representative to request a hearing on this important issue—it only takes one to request such a hearing. Should the state of Maryland be successful in outlawing cow share programs through an administrative process, this would set a dangerous precedent in other states. We ask all our members to respond to the Action Alerts that we are sending out on this situation.

Update, Winter 2006
New regulations in Maryland define cow-share agreements as constituting a "sale" of raw milk, and therefore illegal--regulations adopted by the Department of Health without any hearing, in spite of numerous requests. But we have not given up. Maryland activists are planning to request a summary judgement against a change of regulations by an agency rather than the legislature, as required by Maryland law. Plans for legislation allowing on-farm sales of raw milk are also in the works.

Update, Winter 2006
A Maryland farmer has filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Maryland against the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Division of Milk Control for injunctive relieve and a declaratory judgement, arguing that recent changes in the dairy regulations to prohibit cow share programs exceeded the statutory authority of these agencies. The suit asks for a permanent injunction restraining and prohibiting the enforcement of the recently imposed sanction against cow share programs.

Read updates from MA farms that are licensed to sell raw milk.

Update, Spring 07
Raw milk supporters are still waiting to hear whether the Cass
County prosecutor will file charges against Richard Hebron after the
Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) cops-and-robbers sting
operation against his Family Farms Coop in October. Supporters have
collected over 220 raw milk testimonials. One MDA official divulged the
state attorney general’s statement that MDA had no jurisdiction over cow
share programs, leading to talk of a settlement. Related developments in
Indiana (see above) complicate matters.

Update, Winter 2006
On October 13, 2006, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) executed a sting operation against Richard Hebron and the Family Farms Coop (FFC), a private membership farm cooperative with about 1,000 members in Michigan and Illinois. Michigan state police and MDA agents pulled Hebron over on his way to his weekly Ann Arbor distribution site, served him a search warrant for the contents of his truck and seized all the products he was delivering. At the same time Hebron was stopped on the road, officers served Hebron's wife Annette with a search warrant on their farm and seized their computer, all cow share records, cow herd release agreements, rolodex, invoices, current order sheets, product sheets, delivery schedules, and all raw dairy products in storage. In an affidavit left with Annette Hebron, an instance of illness among children of one of the member families was documented as impetus for the investigation. The illness had occurred in April, six months earlier, but did not actually involve consumption of raw milk at all. The family had missed the previous week's milk delivery and had purchased commercial milk from a grocery store. Three days later all children had become violently ill with gastrointestinal symptoms. The mother's casual remark to their doctor about the family also drinking raw milk led to the notification of the county health department, and then the department of agriculture. No investigation into the actual cause of the children's illness has ever been made. MDA planted a "mole" in the group last May, who signed a lease agreement after being refused purchases of milk and who subsequently obtained various products through the lease agreement between May and October 2006. It was noted in the warrant that the milk was tested by the Michigan Department of Agriculture on more than one occasion. The tests confirmed that the milk was raw and of very high quality. At this date, no charges have been made against the Hebrons and milk deliveries are continuing as before.

Update, March 2007
Click here to read about what the power of testimonials has done for MI.

Click here to read Michigan raw milk testimonials.

Update, August 2007
Michigan: Richard Hebron, the owner of Hebron Family Farms and manager of Family Farms Cooperative (FFC), reached a settlement agreement with Cass County’ s Prosecutor’s Office, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) on April 20. Last fall MDA agents stopped Hebron on his way to a Co-op distribution site in Ann Arbor (Washtenaw County) and served him a search warrant for the contents of his truck. At the same time other MDA agents descended on Hebron’s farm in Vandalia (Cass County) with a second search warrant. In executing the two warrants the Department placed under seizure order thousands of dollars of raw dairy and other food products, his computer and cell phone as well as records pertaining to FFC’s operations. MDA turned these records along with the results of their investigation over to the Cass County Prosecutor last fall. The Cass County Prosecutor, Victor Fitz, indicated that he was prepared to bring charges against Richard Hebron, but urged the farmer and MDA to work out a settlement. Under the terms of the agreement, Hebron will be able to continue distributing the same products as before to FFC members. FFC has a herd lease contract
with another farm and the settlement agreement specifically recognizes that Richard may distribute raw milk to the co-op members pursuant to the contract. Hebron and MDA agreed to submit to the Michigan Department of Attorney General for an advisory opinion the question of whether the farmer can distribute other raw dairy products to the co-op as well. The Attorney General’s opinion on this matter is not binding on either party. Hebron was not charged with a crime nor assessed any criminal penalty. He did agree to pay MDA an administrative fine and to destroy the remaining dairy
products MDA had placed under seizure. The Department has returned to Hebron food containers, cell phone, computer and records taken under the warrant. There is one unsettled aspect to Hebron’s agreement with MDA which will be covered next.

Update, Spring 07
Another indication that cow share programs are getting under the
skin of dairy department bureaucrats comes from this state, where an
inspector told a farmer that the state had “taken cow shares to court and
won.” Not true! There has been no court case involving cow shares in New
York.

UPDATE 27 APRIL 2003
We have a late-breaking report from Hawthorne Valley Dairy in the Hudson Valley, which sells raw milk through their farm store. State officials have shut down raw milk sales over the issue of Staphylococcus aureus, a potentially pathogenic organism, in the milk. Although no one has gotten sick and no one has complained, officials want to set the accepted level at zero. The dairy will be arguing for a count of 500, which is the European standard for on-farm sales. This is clearly an attempt by the state to shut down raw milk sales in New York. Hawthorne Valley and other raw milk sellers will need dedicated consumer support to force the state to set a reasonable standard.

UPDATE 21 JAN 2004
Good news! Hawthorne Valley has resolved the difficulty and is selling raw milk again.

UPDATE 24 AUG 2005
The Cheesemakers Guild, a New York based organization, sponsors many workshops on artisan cheesemaking. See www.nycheese.org. The group is also keeping a close eye on the State as it revises its dairy processing regulations.

UPDATE 17 AUG 2007
Read Worcester Dairy Resumes Raw Milk Sales

Check out this Action Alert:
Harassment of Raw Milk Farmers in Pennsylvania and New York

Update, Fall 2007
Read about the harassment Of Raw Milk Farmers In Pennsylvania And New York

Update, August 2007
The state Senate passed SB948, a bill that would repeal the state’s ban on cow shares for those farmers owning ten cows or less. The bill will next go to the House of Representatives for consideration. Currently, the only access to raw milk is by buying pet milk. In an effort to eliminate this, the state department of agriculture has proposed an administrative regulation requiring that all raw pet milk contain a charcoal dye.

Update, Spring 07
Senator Kay Hagan is sponsoring the bill to reverse the
ban on cow shares. The bill is being drafted and will be introduced during
the present legislative session. At the appropriate time, we will send
out an Action Alert to North Carolina members. Steve Troxler, the state
commissioner of agriculture, is adamantly opposed to the bill and stated
that his agency plans to introduce legislation to require green dye in pet
milk, so we have an uphill battle ahead. Ruth Ann Foster is spearheading
our efforts in North Carolina. She can be contacted at (336) 286-3088,
EatReal@gmail.com

Update 02 FEB 05
News from Southern Oregon. On Sunday, January 16, 2005, the Southern Oregon Chapter held a conference entitled Milk: Raw or Cooked; Farm Fresh or Pasteurized Pathogens. Your Choice. John Scileppi, L.Ac. , was host, and featured speaker was Mark McAfee, owner of Organic Pastures Company, Fresno, California. Organic Pastures distributes raw milk products— milk, cheese, butter, cream, and colostrum—throughout California. In Oregon, Organic Pastures raw milk products are labeled and sold as pet food.

Attendance at our Lake Creek Center, located about 30 minutes out of Medford, was excellent, with an enthusiastic audience of about 55. The conference included a sampling break to enjoy Mark McAfee’s generous supply of Organic Pastures product. At the meeting was Dr. Franklin
Ross, who has the largest holistic healthcare practice in Southern Oregon. Dr. Ross was so impressed by Mark McAfee’s power point presentation and knowledgeable discussion that arrangements were made for Ken Anderson, Dr. Ross’s co-host, to interview Mark McAfee on their Friday morning radio show dealing with health care and airing weekly on 880 AM. The radio interview generated many, many phone calls, and both the interview and the conference brought Organic Pastures an overwhelming number of orders. Dr. Ross also arranged for his patients and colleagues to hear Mark McAfee speak that Friday evening in Ashland. Earlier, Kim Scileppi, Head of Southern Oregon Chapter, had informed the Portland and Eugene Chapters that Mark McAfee would be in Oregon, and both chapters arranged for Mark to speak, raising interest and raw milk education in these areas of Oregon as well.

In Southern Oregon, since Mark’s visit, it is becoming more difficult to buy raw milk (or rather pet foot) because so many are now asking for it.

Update 24 AUG 2005
Oregon officials have requested a small change on the label to Organic Pastures milk, putting it on the front of the bottle and not on the cap. Raw milk as pet food is now available in about 40 stores.

Update, Summer 2003
We received the following letter from Bobby McLean, in response to concerns regarding the sale of raw milk in Pennsylvania:

July 7, 2003

This letter is written in response to your concerns regarding the sale of raw milk in Pennsylvania.

Based on correspondence received, there appears to be considerable misinformation and concern over the raw milk issue. I will attempt to address these concerns in this letter. It is important to note there are no current or planned actions by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture that will remove a dairy farmer's right to sell raw milk or a consumer's right to buy raw milk. However, all producers must have a permit from the Department and must follow the requirements of the permit. Further, the Department has no knowledge of any pending legislation to eliminate the sale of raw milk in Pennsylvania.

The sale of raw milk in Pennsylvania is permitted under the Pennsylvania Milk Sanitation Law (31 P.S. Sec. 645 et. seq) ("Act"). This law is intended to safeguard human health and safety by providing for the issuance of permits to, and regulation of persons and entities selling milk and milk products. The Act (at 31 P.S. Sec. 646) states: "no person shall sell milk, milk product or manufactured dairy products within this Commonwealth without first having obtained a permit from the Secretary".

Another issue that many have raised relates to the sale of raw milk products. The law prohibits the sale of raw milk products except aged hard cheese which is cured at temperatures of not less that 35 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 60 days.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Jim Dell, Chief, Division of Milk Sanitation, at 717-787-4316. Your concerns are understood and we want to work together to help insure that milk and milk products sold in Pennsylvania are safe and wholesome.

Sincerely,
Bobby McLean

Update, Summer 2006
Raw milk dairy farmers and their customers have formed a private unincorporated association called Communities Alliance for Responsible Eco-Farming (CARE) whose members, while recognizing the government’s right to protect the public, exercise their right to disagree and waive their right to the government’s protection in the areas of food production. CARE is designed to provide protection to farmers and consumers from both pasteurization regulations and the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The organization hopes to open up other CARE chapters in other states. For further information contact CARE at (717) 768-7848.

Update, August 2007
Tensions are increasing between the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture (PDA) and those farmers selling raw milk without a license
exclusively to members of CARE (Communities Alliance for Responsible Eco-Farming). PDA contends that anyone selling raw milk in the state is required to obtain a permit. The farmers argue that CARE is a private buyers club not subject to the state’s police power jurisdiction. The farmers also refuse to get a permit because they believe that PDA will transfer any information from their license application into USDA’s NAIS database. Recently, the PDA has stepped up action against unlicensed farmers; the Department has sent eight of the farmers warning letters informing them that selling raw milk without a permit is a violation of the law. PDA has brought charges against two of the farmers for selling raw milk without a permit, with one farmer being found guilty by a county magistrate and the other farmer scheduled to go to court at the end of May. Representatives from CARE and PDA have met to try to resolve their dispute but to this point have not reached an agreement.

Check out this Action Alert:
Harassment of Raw Milk Farmers in Pennsylvania and New York

Update, Fall 2007
Read about the harassment Of Raw Milk Farmers In Pennsylvania And New York

Details
At the present time, there are nine licensed raw milk producers in the state, five producing cow milk and four producing goat milk.

In 2003, there were four licensed producers, and raw goat milk was available in a number of health food stores.

Update, Winter 2008
The DHEC (Dept of Health and Environmental Control) just approved sale of
raw milk at retail establishments. It requires a warning label on the milk
and a poster at the point of sale. Also, it must be sold away from
pasteurized milk (in a separate section or another refrigerator).

Details
Raw milk sales are illegal except as pet food. For a period, state authorities harassed dairy farmers selling raw milk and milk products labeled as pet food but this seems to have died down. There are a number of cow share programs in the state and a committee working on changing the law to allow on-farm sales.

Read updates from Jenny Drake of Peaceful Pastures and more about the effort to legalize raw milk sales in Tennessee.

Find out more at www.tennesseansforrawmilk.com.

Update 04 APR 07--Please see the following:

• Tracking the Trojan Cow--A Rotten Milk Bill in Utah (Redmond Salt CEO Creates Cow-Share Ban in Utah Bill)

Update, Spring 07
Sales of raw milk at the farm are legal in Utah and several dairies now sell raw milk to satisfy increasing consumer demand. A recent bill allowing the sale of raw milk at an off-site retail store passed both the Utah House and Senate in February. Unfortunately, this bill will not necessarily make raw milk more available to consumers, as it favors only one large dairy, belonging to a corporation that owns an off-site store. (The bill requires 51 percent ownership of the store, something most small dairies can’t afford.) In addition, the bill outlaws cow-share programs—an ominous trend. We will be watching this situation closely to see whether the new legislation will adversely impact raw milk availability in Utah.

Update 28 OCT 04 from Winford J. Barlow of Finney Farm Home Dairy
We have been the only certified dairy, to my knowledge, in Utah, for the last two years and we have received nothing but support from the health department. The dairy inspectors have been very workable and knowledgeable. Thorough and strict, yes, but it has only helped us provide a better product. I believe the dairy referred to was in Fairview, Utah, and was out of business before we got our certification. We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and want only the best for our customers. Please correct this error so the people of Utah won't be misinformed.

Tyler Carver is working on setting up a "farm share" program in Utah. He has located a willing farmer and tapped into plenty of interest. For more information, or to lend him a helping hand, contact Tyler at or (801) 366-0472.

Update 24 AUG 2005
It was Lt. Governor Kaine who broke the tie on legislation that would have allowed fresh goat cheese to be sold on farms in Virginia, voting against and killing the legislation for this year. Justifying his actions through the buzz words “public safety,” Kaine said that public safety concerns “outweighed the need for the state to create an atmosphere in which small businesses and family farms can thrive.” With reactionary anti-raw milk legislation now on the books, Virginia bureaucrats are going after independent dairy farms (those that do not sell in bulk to processors), harassing Bergey’s Dairy—which has been in business for 70 years—with unreasonable misdemeanor charges. The small independent dairy provides free home delivery for pasteurized milk in glass bottles and is one of only two dairies left in Virginia that own and operate a milk-processing plant.

Update, Summer 2006
The status of the working group for micro-dairies—promised during recent negotiations that resulted in licensing for cow share arrangements—is unclear. Predictably, dairy officials have avoided taking any initiative while activists remain in the dark. However, the good news is that raw milk is becoming more and more available in Washington State, even in stores, through licensed dairies, big and small, with much thanks to Emmy McAllister and other local chapter leaders for organizing pick-up locations and persuading retail outlets to carry it. Check the recently revised listing for Washington at realmilk.com for a source near you.

Update, Winter 2006
Things are at a standstill regarding the situation with Dee Creek Farm (see Wise Traditions, Spring, 2006). The state is threatening an administrative fine, but the Pucketts are continuing to farm and are in the process of obtaining their Grade A license. All of the children afflicted with E. coli O157H7 are back to normal. Meanwhile, the number of dairies licensed to sell raw milk has skyrocketed, from 15 to 60 in the last eight months. Raw milk is widely available throughout the state, and sold in many retail stores. Check the listings for Washington at realmilk.com.

Update, February 2007