Raw Milk Wars

Here's a topic that comes up for discussion fairly often here in our rural community - and one I'm personally interested in, having just acquired several Nubian goats and looking forward to fresh goat milk.  The fact that selling raw milk is against the law here in Ohio is often used as an example of how 'Big Government' is getting into the business of regulating small farmers right out of a living.  The ODA (Ohio Department of Agriculture) has been watchfully enforcing the law, even, according to some, to the point of entrapment.  This all takes on even more emotional freight when the farmer being set up is some poor Amish guy who got convinced to sell a couple of gallons off the farm, never thinking those hapless-looking tourists were really law enforcement agents in disguise.  Ohio is not alone in this - lots of states prohibit selling raw milk - so if you're interested in the topic, you could check here for your state laws.

Here in Ohio, if you're a raw milk person, not all is lost.  By court order, you can legally participate in what is called a 'herd share' - which means you enter into a contract with a farmer and for an agreed-upon fee, you get a share of whatever he/she produces.  This might even be better than outright licensing, as it does force the consumer to get to know their farmer and a lot of us feel that knowing where your food comes from is a better protection than Big Government can provide. Even if you live in a city, you can shop at farmers' markets, visit local farms, buy local.

Is raw milk a good idea?  A lot of people think it is, despite there being no definitive studies that prove benefits to health.  I know in the cheesemaking community, there is the view that pasteurization - especially at high temperatures - destroys enzymes and friendly bacteria that are important and beneficial to flavor in artisanal, farmstead cheeses.  On the negative side, it is clear that milk is an awfully good growth medium for microorganisms of all kinds, and the baddies can make you really sick.  Even Mother Jones magazine has weighed in, suggesting that whatever the benefits, raw milk is just not worth the risk. 

I find this an interesting issue, because if you are a 'blue' foodie or health nut, you might well be pro-raw milk.  You probably find it upsetting that it is legal in a lot of states to walk down the street carrying an automatic weapon, but not legal to sell raw milk. And if you're a 'red' consumer, this is just one more example of Big Government sticking its nose where it doesn't belong.  As a farmer (ok, I'm pretty much a micro-farmer!), I'm not sure what choice I will make on raw milk when my goats freshen.  But I like having the facts and the ability to choose!