The Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) sends a warm welcome to three more farmers who have joined our Listing program! RAWMI offers free mentoring to all dairy farmers. Whether they are milking one cow, a handful of goats, or a large herd, the principles of safe raw milk production form a foundational toolset that benefits all dairy farmers and their customers.
Some of the farmers we mentor choose to keep it casual, and are satisfied to just ask us a few questions before continuing their raw milk journeys. There is another set of farmers, though, that is not content to just dip their toes in the water; they want to dive right in and take their entire milk process to the next level.
For these farmers, we offer our (free) RAWMI Listing program, wherein we assist farmers in developing their own unique on-farm Risk Analysis and Management Plan, documenting their processes with written Standard Sanitary Operating Procedures, and identifying the Critical Control Points that are essential to their production of safe raw milk. RAWMI Listed farmers test their milk at least monthly for ongoing assurance that their processes are working well to produce low-risk raw milk. RAWMI Listing is the gold standard for raw milk producers.
Three farms have recently completed the RAWMI Listing process, and we extend them a warm welcome into our growing community!
De Melkerij - Herd Share in Harlan, Iowa
De Melkerij (“The Dairy” in Dutch) is a micro-dairy owned and operated by Esther Arkfeld in rural Iowa. Esther is pioneering for legalization of raw milk in Iowa, and she has worked hard to be a model farm that will demonstrate what safe raw milk production looks like as the state moves towards their next legislative session. Esther implements risk-reduction practices to make sure her milk is low-risk, and she utilizes an on-farm lab to test her milk frequently as a verification step that her practices are working well.
Natural living and accessibility to nutritionally dense foods are at the core of what the Arkfeld family homestead is all about. Esther focuses on the health of her Jersey and Guernsey cows with rotational grazing and a natural diet. She believes that getting back to nature and allowing her animals to live the life they were naturally created for, ultimately allows them to produce healthy and delicious milk. Esther also produces grass fed beef, free-range eggs, raw honey, and herbal products. We welcome Esther to the RAWMI Community!
You can learn more about De Melkerij here:
Dancing Feathers Farm - Herd Share in Bloomingdale, Michigan
Dancing Feathers Farm is a 14-acre, first-generation regenerative farm in Southwest Michigan. Owner Jen Buck is a former Army combat medic, and her farm is the first hand-milking farm to achieve RAWMI Listing. During Jen’s mentoring program with the Raw Milk Institute, we advised her that it was going to be a challenge to get consistent bacteria counts with hand-milking. Jen rose to the challenge by building an on-farm lab and working hard to develop a system that works well and consistently meets the RAWMI Common Standards.
Jen places immense value on standardized processes and providing the healthiest, happiest lives possible for her family, animals, and community. Jordan (Jen’s husband) is a union carpenter and the creative genius behind the forward-thinking, eco-friendly improvements on their farm. Together with their two children, the Bucks adhere to earth-and-animal friendly processes so Dancing Feathers Farm can provide the highest quality raw goat milk to herd share members. Besides raw goat milk, Dancing Feathers Farm also produces eggs, flowers, and vegetables.
You can learn more about Dancing Feathers Farm here:
Seven Seasons Farm - Pet Milk in Oxford, North Carolina
Seven Seasons Farm is a raw milk micro dairy located in Oxford, North Carolina. Owners Chad and Chrissy Wilkins are dedicated to producing healthy milk with their herd of Jersey cows and Saanen goats. The Wilkins’ rotationally graze their cow and goat herds on nearly 20 acres of lush natural pastures. Seven Seasons Farm offers raw milk as a pet treat, and is registered with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a pet food manufacturer.
Chad and Chrissy are passionate about the health and well-being of their animals. They believe that well-cared for animals will provide more-nourishing final products. With an on-farm lab, Seven Seasons Farm is able to test every lot of raw milk produced on the farm. This ensures that every bottle of raw milk produced by Seven Seasons Farm falls within the standards for coliform and SPC as established by the Raw Milk Institute. In addition to raw milk, Chad and Chrissy also produce high quality produce, pork, beef, and eggs.
You can learn more about Seven Seasons Farm here:
