How to Find a Quality Raw Milk Farmer

Once you have found a farm that sells raw milk, it is important to assess the quality of the milk and the farming practices. You can use this free guide to help you determine if that farm meets your standards.

1. How do the cows/goats look? Does it look like the animals are in good health? I.e size, udders, coat, etc. Are they caked in ankle deep manure? Or are they laying in manure? If so, it would be hard to clean those udders.

2. Are the cows/goats free to roam in open green pasture? Do the animals get adequate sunshine and consume their natural diet of grass? They should have plenty of space per animal with majority of their time spent outdoors.

3. Ask the farmer for a tour. If the farmer is not willing to give you a tour, I would not recommend getting milk from that farm. If the farmer is willing to give you a tour, even for a fee, do it! But make sure to ask the right questions. These questions are listed below.

4. What kind of testing do they do on their milk? They should be testing for coliform, total bacteria and somatic cell count. This kind of testing is not often performed in smaller farms, so if you trust the farmer and feel confident that they practice excellent sanitation you can omit this step if it feels right to you.

5. What are the cows/goats fed when they do not have access to pasture? The cows should be fed hay when they do not have access to pasture, not grains. However, there is a difference in the quality of hay. If it is yellow like straw, that is fine. If it is green, it might have been chemically treated to preserve it. So be sure to ask the farmer if the hay has been treated. If it hasn't and is naturally fresh green hay, that is the best option! If the animals are fed grains, be sure they are organic and not GMO corn or soy.

6. How long does the milk store? The longer the better! 12-14 days is ideal, but a minimum of 7 days is recommended. Shorter shelf life means lower quality. Even if the label reads use within 7 days, taste the milk! If it tastes fresh (not bitter, sour, fruity or malty) then this is a good indicator that the milk is good.

7. Check out the milking area. Does it look clean? Check to see if the flooring is free of manure and bedding. How does the farmer clean the milking equipment? How does he/she clean the milk jugs? How is the milk chilled? It should be chilled in an ice bath, not placed directly into the fridge/freezer (this slower process can cause bacteria to grow).

8. Ask other customers what they think! When you see a customer grab a milk jug, ask them how long they have bought milk from that farm and if they have ever had any issues. This is one of the easiest things you can do to determine if the farm is right for you.

I hope this guide helps you on your raw milk journey. As always, do your due diligence before purchasing raw milk from any farmer.

**This is not medical advice.