Raw Milk Training

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THRIVING with Raw Milk Webinar: FREE Video Seminar with Focus on Iowa

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Whereas farmers producing milk for the pasteurized market often struggle to make ends meet, raw milk farms are thriving. Iowa’s new law presents a unique opportunity for farmers to move into an expanding market by implementing intentional practices and higher standards to produce low-risk raw milk.

Raw milk presents a unique farmstead product that brings all the added value back to the farmer with an incentive to work on quality. By selling directly to consumers, raw milk farmers are able to obtain greater financial rewards for their work, while consumers benefit from the improved flavor and nutrition. It’s a win for both farmers and consumers!

Watch Our FREE 1.5 Hour Seminar

Below is our 1.5 hour video seminar, Thriving with Raw Milk, presented by:

  • Mark McAfee - Raw Milk Institute President and Founder

  • Sarah Smith - Raw Milk Institute Vice President

  • Joseph Heckman, PhD - Raw Milk Institute Board Member and Soil Scientist from Rutgers

  • Esther Arkfeld - Iowa Dairy Farmer and Advocate for Raw Milk Legalization

  • Fred Hall - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist

  • Senator Jason Schultz - Legislative Sponsor of Bill to Legalize Raw Milk in Iowa

This Raw Milk Institute seminar focuses on:

  • Iowa’s new raw milk law

  • How raw milk farms are thriving

  • Health benefits of raw milk

  • Benefits of selling raw milk

  • Safety and risks of raw milk

  • Introduction to raw milk risk management

  • Building a successful raw milk market

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August 12th FREE Iowa Raw Milk Webinar

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Raw milk is now legal in Iowa! Whereas farmers producing milk for the pasteurized market often struggle to make ends meet, raw milk farms are thriving. Iowa’s new law presents a unique opportunity for farmers to move into an expanding market by implementing intentional practices and higher standards to produce low-risk raw milk.

On Saturday August 12th at 11am Central, the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) will be presenting a free 1.5-hour Iowa Raw Milk seminar. This presentation will be livestreamed online, so farmers from across Iowa will be able to conveniently attend from their own location.

Raw milk presents a unique farmstead product that brings all the added value back to the farmer with an incentive to work on quality. By selling directly to consumers, raw milk farmers are able to obtain greater financial rewards for their work, while consumers benefit from the improved flavor and nutrition. It’s a win for both farmers and consumers!

About the Training

This 1.5 hour webinar will be presented by the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) in collaboration with Esther Arkfeld (RAWMI Listed farmer who was instrumental in the legalization of raw milk in Iowa).

This RAWMI presentation will focus on:

  • Iowa’s new raw milk law

  • Why raw milk farms are thriving

  • Health benefits of raw milk

  • Benefits of selling raw milk

  • Safety and risks of raw milk

  • Introduction to raw milk risk management

  • Building a successful raw milk market

We'll be providing lots of practical tips for farmers who are interested in switching to raw milk as a sustainable business model.

How to Register

This webinar is open and free for farmers in Iowa as well as elsewhere.

SORRY, we had to close registration for this event at 100 attendees. Let us know if you missed this but want to attend a future event.

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Welcoming Farms in Minnesota and Vermont to RAWMI Community

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The Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) sends a warm welcome to two more farmers who have completed 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.

Two farms have recently completed the RAWMI Listing process, and we extend them a warm welcome into our growing community!

Fiat Farm – Bethel, Minnesota

Fiat Farm is operated by Francesca and Matt Steffel. Fiat Farm is the first dairy from Minnesota to achieve RAWMI Listing. Fiat Farm was started with a desire to give the Steffel’s six children rural childhoods in an agricultural environment that would teach them hard work and responsibility.  They have been raising their children on raw milk for 10+ years.

Francesca and Matt have worked to establish the natural pasture soils on their property and are diligent about providing their herd with the best possible feed and environment to thrive. They utilize an on-farm lab for frequent bacteria testing of their milk. The Steffel’s passion for regenerative farming and milking cows grew into a desire to share the high-quality milk they produce with their local community.

You can learn more about Fiat Farm here:

Hillside Springs Homestead – Poultney, Vermont

Hillside Springs Homestead is operated by David Atherton and Erica Wellington in Vermont.  David is a science professor and Hillside Springs Homestead is the first dairy from Vermont to achieve RAWMI Listing. Hillside Spring’s primary focus is producing the tastiest and healthiest raw milk available.

David and Erica's herd has a high quality of life, including rotational grazing during the warm months and accessible shelter from the cold during Vermont’s winters. Hillside Springs utilizes an on-farm lab for frequent bacteria testing of their milk. Raw milk is their passion and they love to share it with the community.

You can learn more about Hillside Springs Homestead here:

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Join Us for Raw Milk Training in Oregon June 17-18

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On June 17-18 2022, the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) will be providing Raw Milk Risk Management training in Oregon. This training is will be done in collaboration with Cast Iron Farm (RAWMI Listed farm in Oregon).

About the Training

This 2-day intensive RAWMI training workshop will focus on the benefits of raw milk, grass-to-glass identification of risks, development of a risk management plan, and lessons learned from other raw milk dairies. It is our goal to assure that raw milk is safe and continues to be freely available for both farmers and consumers in Oregon.

The training will be hosted at Cast Iron Farm in McMinnville, Oregon. We'll be providing lots of practical tips for the production of safe raw milk. The training will include formal presentations as well as demonstrations and tours at Cast Iron Farm. This training has been shown to reduce outbreaks and illnesses, increase safety, and lower insurance costs.

Cost and Registration

The cost for this 2-day training workshop is only $35.

If the cost is a barrier, feel free to contact Christine at Cast Iron Farm to learn about potential scholarships.

You can register for the class here:

http://castironfarm.com/rawmi-training-june-2023/

Class Schedule

Saturday June 17th

  • 9:30am - Arrival and introductions

  • 10:00am - 45 minute presentation by Oregon Department of Ag outlining the new CAFO regulations for anyone owning dairy animals.  This will include time for Q&A. If you do not feel comfortable attending a presentation given by the state agency, feel free to join us after lunch.

  • noon-1pm - Light lunch and snacks

  • 1pm-3pm - RAWMI presentation by Mark McAfee on health benefits of raw milk, safety and risks of raw milk

  • 3pm-3:20pm - Stretch break

  • 3:30pm-5pm - RAWMI presentation on raw milk risk management from grass-to-glass

Sunday June 18th

  • 9:30am - Milking demonstration and tour of Cast Iron Farm

  • 10:30am-noon - RAWMI presentation about raw milk testing and and building a successful raw milk business

  • noon-1pm - Light lunch and snacks

  • 1pm - One-on-one questions and consultations with RAWMI to answer all your questions

Sunday afternoon tours of Godspeed Hollow, another RAWMI listed farm 20 minutes from Mcmminnville, can be arranged by appointment for those interested.

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RAWMI Annual Report for 2022-23

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The Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) is on a mission to improve the safety and quality of raw milk and raw milk products through farmer training, rigorous raw milk standards, raw milk research, and improving consumer education.

In 2022, RAWMI was awarded a 4th grant for $50k from the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation (RAF) to further our work. RAWMI matches an economic benefit of stewardship of pastures and soils to high value raw dairy products for consumers. Safe raw milk from pastured cows can sustain the farm financially while the grazing improves the soils.

With the 4th grant from RAF, RAWMI was able to accomplish much towards the overall goal of universal access to safe raw milk. Over the last year, RAWMI:

  • Trained over 150 farmers, legislators, university professors, and consumers on raw milk benefits and risk management

  • Prepared and presented an intensive 4-hour training course on Raw Milk Risk Management for farmers and regulators in two Montana locations

  • Met in-person with state and local regulators in Montana in support of newly-legalized raw milk

  • Coordinated with Northeast Texas Community College in preparation for a Raw Milk Risk Management Training Workshop in Texas for Fall 2023

  • LISTED five new farms in Iowa, Michigan, Montana, and North Carolina, who each went through the process of developing an individualized Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) for managing the health and hygiene of their unique farms

  • Served as the raw milk hotline for farmers in need across the USA and Canada

  • Provided one-on-one mentoring in the production of low-risk raw milk to over 40 additional farms in Wisconsin, Ohio, North Carolina, Oregon, Minnesota, New York, Kansas, Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Alaska, North Dakota, Indiana, Utah, Missouri, California, Michigan, Montana, Texas, Idaho, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, Ontario Canada, British Columbia Canada, Dorset England, Beirut Lebanon, and Telengana India

  • Hosted quarterly meetings for LISTED farmers, which allow the farmers to stay up-to-date on the latest lessons learned for safe raw milk

  • Amassed hundreds of raw milk test data from RAWMI LISTED farms 

  • Attended the International Milk Genomics Consortium Conference

  • Worked with researchers from Spectacular Labs who are developing on-farm technology for pathogen testing

  • Worked towards increased legal access to raw milk in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Canada (with Canadian Artisan Dairy Alliance)

  • Wrote 4 articles on Raw Milk Risk Management strategies which were published in Graze magazine

  • Published 7 content pieces on the RAWMI website

  • Began work on two books about raw milk, one focused on risk management and the other as a children’s book about raw milk

  • Developed additional on-farm lab training materials and provided on-farm lab sponsorships to 12 farms

  

Raw Milk Training

RAWMI taught about raw milk health benefits and safety in the United States and Canada with in-person and web-based training. Whenever RAWMI teaches about raw milk risk management, soil and conditions management are emphasized as key elements in creating healthy, sustainable farms.

RAWMI trained over 150 farmers, legislators, university professors, university students, and consumers in association with the following:

  • Montana’s Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) 

  • Canadian Artisan Dairy Alliance (CADA)

  • Rutgers University

  • Wild Willow Farm and Education Center of San Diego

Raw Milk Support in Montana

RAWMI continued to provide support and resources for the recent legalization of raw milk in Montana.  When the Local Food Choice Act (SB199) legalized raw milk in Montana, it also prevented the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) from imposing any standards for the production of raw milk. Following an outbreak of Campylobacter that was tied to a raw dairy farm, RAWMI became heavily involved to make sure that raw milk farmers learn important risk management strategies to allow both farmers and consumers to thrive in Montana.

With a small-stipend to cover travel expenses from AERO Montana, in September 2022 RAWMI taught Raw Milk Risk Management Training courses in Big Timber and Avon Montana.  These courses were attended by dozens of farmers and several state regulators. RAWMI also met with state regulators at DPHHS to discuss ways to help Montana farmers have access to the information they need in order to produce low-risk raw milk. 

Raw Milk Support in Texas

RAWMI is collaborating with Northeast Texas Community College in preparation for teaching a Raw Milk Risk Management course near Dallas TX. This training course is scheduled for September 2023 and will be aimed at helping Texas raw milk farmers learn risk management strategies for producing low-risk raw milk.  The training class will include a 4-hour classroom session followed by a visit to a local raw milk farm.

 

Farmer Mentoring  

RAWMI provided one-on-one mentoring and troubleshooting support for low-risk raw milk production for over 40 farmers across the United States, Canada, and internationally. This included helping farmers optimize their raw milk production, overcome problems in their milk systems and testing, and learn more about successful business practices.  This mentorship benefited farmers in the following locations:

RAWMI LISTED Farms

RAWMI LISTED farmers are dedicated to producing clean, safe raw milk. The RAWMI listing process involves the development of individualized Risk Assessment and Management Plans (RAMPs) for managing the health and hygiene of each unique farm. RAWMI LISTED farms submit test data monthly to show that they are in compliance with RAWMI Common Standards, which target a rolling three-month average of <5,000 standard plate count (SPC) and <10 coliforms per ml of raw milk.

In the last year, RAWMI LISTED the following five farms:

  • De Melkerij in Harlan, Iowa

  • Milk House Farm in Corunna, Michigan

  • Seven Seasons Farm in Oxford, North Carolina

  • Dancing Feathers Farm in Bloomingdale, Michigan

  • Wildflower Raw Milk in Avon, Montana

To-date, RAWMI has LISTED 34 farms, and there are currently 27 active LISTED farms in the United States and Canada.

RAWMI provided continuing support to all LISTED farmers to enable sustained excellence in low-risk raw milk. This included quarterly meetings for LISTED farmers, which allow the farmers to stay up-to-date on the latest lessons learned for safe raw milk, exchange ideas for improvements, and collaborate with the RAWMI Board of directors.

Raw Milk Immediate Help Hotline

RAWMI provided immediate support for numerous farmers in need. This included helping farmers troubleshoot elevated bacteria counts, equipment problems, unexpected test results, etc.  This service was provided to farmers across the USA and Canada, including in Oregon, Iowa, Virginia, Wisconsin, Amish communities, and more. 

 

Raw Milk Research and Science

RAWMI’s mission includes supporting raw milk research and science. Through this work, RAWMI helps raw milk become safer and more accepted by regulatory agencies.

Raw Milk Bacterial Test Data

RAWMI LISTED farmers test their milk at least monthly for coliforms and Standard Plate Count (SPC). These tests provide a way to measure the amount of bacteria present in the milk, as well as providing a measure of the overall hygiene and cleanliness of the milk. Monthly testing serves as a useful confirmation step for ensuring that raw milk is being produced in a way that discourages pathogen growth and is therefore low-risk.

Test data from LISTED farms is submitted to RAWMI monthly. RAWMI amassed over 1,100 test data from RAWMI LISTED farms over the last year.  Below are averages of all RAWMI data amassed thus far.

This data can be used for raw milk research and demonstrates that low-risk raw milk is achievable on both small-scale and large-scale raw dairy farms.


International Milk Genomics Consortium

RAWMI attended the 19th International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC) conference at UC Davis. The IMGC provides access to the most leading-edge studies on milk genomics from PhD researchers across the world.



Development of On-Farm Pathogen Testing Technology

On-farm pathogen testing for raw milk has been considered too risky due to the potential for cross-contamination and inadvertent pathogen release.  However, researchers from Spectacular Labs are developing new technology for rapid on-farm pathogen testing. RAWMI continued collaborating with Spectacular Labs towards the development of pathogen tests that could be used on-site by farmers as part of an overall risk reduction strategy.

 

Raw Dairy Legalization and Support

RAWMI worked towards increased legal access to raw milk in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Canada.  This included providing references, support, training, and advocacy for proposed legislation in conjunction with lawmakers and farmers. RAWMI also collaborated with the Canadian Artisan Dairy Alliance, who is working towards legalization of raw milk in Canada.

Raw Dairy Educational Outreach

RAWMI created educational materials and articles for raw milk consumers and the general public. The following four articles were published in Graze magazine. This will help RAWMI’s training reach farmers who do not utilize the internet, such as Amish farmers.

  • Managing the Conditions for Low-Risk Raw Milk

  • Udder Preparation for Low-Risk Raw Milk

  • Rapid Chilling of Raw Milk Lowers Pathogen Risk and Improves Shelf-Life

  • Milk from “Fresh Cows” Presents a High Risk of Pathogens

RAWMI published the following articles and videos to the RAWMI website and social media:

  • Video: On-Farm Raw Milk Testing with Charm Sciences Peel Plates

  • Low-Risk Raw Milk for Montana

  • A Caution About Bleach and Chlorinated Sanitizers for Milking Equipment and Bottles

  • How to Clean Your Milking Equipment for Low-Risk Raw Milk

RAWMI also began work on two books about raw milk, one focused on risk management and the other as a children’s book about Henry Coit’s contributions to safe raw milk.  

On-Farm Lab Training and Sponsorships

Frequent bacterial testing of raw milk is one of the pillars of producing low-risk raw milk. However, milk testing costs can be an ongoing financial burden which make small-scale farmers hesitant to test their milk often. On-farm testing is a great solution to this dilemma.

On-farm lab testing is a powerful tool for raw milk farmers.  It allows for frequent testing, so farmers can better identify issues before they turn into big problems, and it also helps immeasurably with troubleshooting when needed.  On-farm labs require an initial investment of $800-$1,000, but once the lab is in-place the cost per test is only $1-$3.

With RAWMI’s sponsorship, the following twelve additional farms were able to build their own on-farm labs for testing coliforms and Standard Plate Count.

  • Alaska – Rady Family Farmstead

  • Iowa – De Melkerij

  • Michigan – Dancing Feathers

  • Minnesota – Fiat Farm

  • Montana – Wildflower Raw Milk

  • North Carolina – Seven Seasons Farm

  • Tennessee – Whispering Willows

  • Texas – CT Ranch

  • Texas – Hebrews Farm

  • Texas – Hoof and Feather

  • Utah – Briar Patch Creamery

  • Vermont – Between the Trees

  • British Columbia Canada Farm

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VIDEO: On-Farm Raw Milk Testing with Charm Sciences Peel Plates

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The Raw Milk Institute is pleased to share with you this new video for learning how to do on-farm bacterial testing of raw milk. This video was put together by Kelsey Barefoot, who is on the RAWMI Board of Directors and tests the raw milk from her own farm in an on-farm lab.

Regular bacterial testing is one of the keys to ensuring that raw milk is low-risk. On-farm testing is economical and valuable for raw milk farmers, as it allows them to test their milk more frequently and detect trouble spots before they become a bigger issue.

This new video will show you:

  • Materials needed for on-farm lab testing

  • How to perform on-farm lab testing of raw milk using Charm Sciences peel plates

  • How to interpret the results

The bacterial tests performed in an on-farm lab (coliform and Standard Plate Count) are used to provide a general indicator that milk is being produced in a way that is unlikely to lead to pathogens and pathogen growth. RAWMI Common Standards aim for a rolling three-month average of less than 5,000 cfu/mL for Standard Plate Count and less than 10 cfu/mL for coliforms.

For more information about on-farm milk testing, including materials lists and written procedures, go here:

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Low-Risk Raw Milk for Montana

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The Raw Milk Institute and AERO have partnered for low-risk raw milk in Montana through farmer training and advocacy. 

Raw Milk Becomes Legal in Montana

After close to 50 years of raw milk prohibition, Montana passed the Local Food Choice Act (SB199) in 2021 as mostly a Food Freedom and Sovereignty act. Under SB199, small dairies in the state could legally produce and sell raw milk with practically no involvement from regulators. This was good news for farmers and consumers alike, who had repeatedly tried to change Montana’s raw milk laws to allow for legal access to this important nourishing food.  

A growing body of evidence shows that drinking raw milk is associated with decreased rates of asthma, allergies, eczema, ear infections, fever, and respiratory infections. Whereas, pasteurized milk is a top food allergen and difficult to digest, raw milk is actually a health-supporting food with rich therapeutic potential that is easily digested by most consumers, even many of those who are considered to be lactose intolerant.   

Raw Milk Institute Receives an Urgent Call from Montana

Unsanitary milking equipment at raw milk dairy in Montana

SB199 opened up new possibilities for raw milk farmers and consumers. However, SB199 essentially tied the hands of the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), who were not allowed to impose any standards for the production of raw milk. Soon after the passage of SB199, the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) received an urgent call from a dairy farmer in Montana whose raw milk was suspected to be the cause of an outbreak of campylobacter illness.   

In response, Mark McAfee, Chairman of RAWMI, traveled to Montana in Fall 2021 to assist the dairy and investigate the potential causes for the outbreak.  Mark quickly discovered that the farmer had substantial biofilm build up on milk machine systems and inadequate training in what it takes to produce low-risk raw milk.  While in Montana, Mark also met with AERO representatives to discuss SB199 and raw milk. AERO was working to ensure that Montana farmers had the resources they needed to successfully operate under the Local Food Choice Act. 

No Standards or Training = Potential Peril for Legality of Raw Milk in Montana

If poorly produced, foodborne illnesses are a real risk for raw milk, yet these risks can be mitigated through careful production practices. Ideally, the careful production practices are combined with periodic bacterial testing with the goal of achieving low coliform and Standard Plate Count bacteria test results (as published in the RAWMI Common Standards).   

Since Montana legalized raw milk but provided no standards or training for how to produce low-risk raw milk, the Fall 2021 campylobacter outbreak was unfortunately a predictable scenario. History has shown that repeated raw milk-related illness outbreaks will cause government agencies to ban raw milk outright or create difficult restrictions. In order to ensure both consumer safety and continued raw milk legalization, it was imperative that farmers in Montana gain access to training and resources for producing low-risk raw milk.  

With Freedom Comes Responsibility

With the freedom to produce raw milk comes the responsibility to make sure that raw milk is safe to drink.  Mark founded RAWMI in 2011, on a quest for safe raw milk that started after the raw milk from his own farm (Organic Pastures) was implicated in foodborne illnesses. As a former paramedic, Mark was committed to providing health-supporting foods for his customers, and those illness outbreaks were a huge wake-up call to learn more and do better. 

The Raw Milk Institute was founded in order to learn more and teach others the best ways to produce raw milk that would be both safe and nutritious. From 2011-2012, RAWMI worked to establish the Common Standards for safe raw milk by consulting with a diverse international group of medical doctors, epidemiologists, nutritional consultants, veterinarians, food safety scientists, raw milk farmers, and raw milk consumers.

Since that time, RAWMI’s Common Standards have influenced raw milk regulations in many states across the USA. The effectiveness of these standards has been demonstrated in two peer-reviewed research papers by researchers from Canada and Europe which have found that carefully produced raw milk is a low-risk food which is fundamentally different from pre-pasteurized milk. The implementation of the RAWMI Common Standards has led to a significant reduction in raw milk-related illnesses and outbreaks. RAWMI has trained hundreds of farmers in these methods, and the Common Standards have been voluntarily adopted by farmers in many states and countries around the world.  

Paving the Way for Low-Risk Raw Milk in Montana

In the wake of the campylobacter outbreak, AERO enthusiastically welcomed RAWMI to travel to Montana in order to train farmers in the production of low-risk raw milk. AERO even offered to cover the travel expenses for this work, through a grant from Western Extension Risk Management Education. 

The valuable partnership between RAWMI and AERO came to fruition in mid-September.  Mark McAfee and Sarah Smith (RAWMI Director and Board Secretary) traveled to Montana to teach two farmer training classes and meet with state regulators. Sam Blomquist from AERO did all of the on-site coordination by arranging the class locations and farm visits, taking registrations, and setting up meetings with regulators.  

Raw Milk Risk Management Training in Montana

On September 14th and 16th 2022, Mark and Sarah from RAWMI taught Raw Milk Risk Management training courses in Big Timber and Avon Montana to dozens of attendees. These training workshops focused on the benefits of raw milk, grass-to-glass identification of risks, development of a risk management plan, and lessons learned from other raw milk dairies. (For those who weren’t able to attend one of our Risk Management Classes in-person, there is an online version here.)

After a morning classroom portion, each training day ended with a visit to a nearby farm that produces raw milk. RAWMI extends a big thanks to Allison Cooley, from Hoof and Leaf Creamery in Big Timber, and Bobbi McIntosh, from McIntosh Ranch in Avon, for hosting the on-farm visits for the class attendees. Bobbi is the first Montana raw milk producer to have completed RAWMI’s (free) LISTING program. The on-farm visits gave the class attendees to opportunity to see risk management principles in action, including the use of on-farm labs for inexpensive bacterial testing of raw milk.

Feedback from the attendees of the training workshops included the following:

“It was excellent on EVERY topic. Thank you SO much.”

“I really learned a lot about the benefits of raw milk as well as a lot of great info on safe practices.”

“[We got] to talk about the whole process from 'grass to glass' and how important it all is.”

Bridging the Gap Between Regulators and Farmers

Given that SB199 does not allow the state health department to impose any standards for raw milk production, regulators are stuck between a rock and a hard place in wanting to ensure that raw milk will be safe for consumers in Montana.  

RAWMI and AERO met with state regulators at DPHHS to discuss ways to help Montana farmers have access to the information they need in order to produce low-risk raw milk.  Additionally, several local and state regulators attended the training classes in Montana in order to learn more with the mutual goal that raw milk will be safe and freely available for both farmers and consumers. 

Helping to Keep Raw Milk Legal and Safe in Montana

RAWMI has been pleased to partner with AERO for the good of raw milk farmers and consumers in Montana. Several farmers who attended the RAWMI training class have expressed interest RAWMI’s LISTING program and grants for farmers to build their own on-farm labs.  RAWMI extends a big thanks to AERO for sponsoring and coordinating this important step for safe, low-risk raw milk in Montana.

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Join Us for Raw Milk Training in Montana

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On September 14th and 16th 2022, the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) will be providing Raw Milk Risk Management training in Montana. This training is being coordinated and sponsored by the Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO) Montana.

About the Training

Under the Montana Local Food Choice Act (SB199), raw milk production is now legal in Montana. RAWMI’s training workshops will focus on the benefits of raw milk, grass-to-glass identification of risks, development of a risk management plan, and lessons learned from other raw milk dairies. It is our goal to assure that raw milk is safe and continues to be freely available for both farmers and consumers.

We'll be providing lots of practical tips for the production of safe raw milk. This training has been shown to reduce outbreaks and illnesses, increase safety, and lower insurance costs.

The trainings will be in Big Timber MT on September 14 and Avon MT on September 16. Each of these training workshops will include a 3-hour presentation followed by a on-site visit to a raw milk dairy.

There will be a lunch break between the morning presentations and the afternoon farm visits.

FREE Registration

Thanks to AERO Montana, these RAWMI training days are FREE to attend and open to all. Whether you are from Montana or somewhere nearby such as Idaho or Wyoming, we welcome you to attend this training for low-risk raw milk!

Go here to register: https://aeromt.org/event/raw-milk-trainings/

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RAWMI Annual Report for 2021-2022

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The Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) is on a mission to improve the safety and quality of raw milk and raw milk products through farmer training, rigorous raw milk standards, raw milk research, and improving consumer education.

In 2021, RAWMI was awarded a 3rd grant for $50k from the Regenerative Agriculture Foundation (RAF) to further our work. RAWMI matches an economic benefit of stewardship of pastures and soils to high value raw dairy products for consumers. Safe raw milk from pastured cows can sustain the farm financially while the grazing improves the soils.

With the 3rd grant from RAF, RAWMI was able to accomplish much towards the overall goal of universal access to safe raw milk. With the unique continuing challenges of 2021, RAWMI was able to carry on with making progress through the latest methods and models for training and outreach.

Over the last year, RAWMI:

  • Trained over 250 farmers, legislators, university professors, and consumers on raw milk benefits and risk management

  • Prepared and presented a 1.5 hour training course for dairy farmers who are considering the switch to raw milk, for the Massachusetts Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA-MASS)

  • Developed 17-part Raw Milk Risk Management online video training series for raw milk farmers, which has been accessed by hundreds of additional farmers

  • Worked with state and local regulators in Montana to develop a model for training raw milk farmers

  • LISTED six new farms in Virginia, California, Michigan, British Columbia Canada, North Carolina, and Arkansas, who each went through the process of developing an individualized Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) for managing the health and hygiene of their unique farms

  • Provided one-on-one mentoring in the production of low-risk raw milk to over 30 additional farms in California, Michigan, Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania, Texas, Idaho, Vermont, Iowa, North Dakota, Washington, Oregon, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Ontario Canada, and British Columbia Canada

  • Hosted quarterly meetings for LISTED farmers, which allow the farmers to stay up-to-date on the latest lessons learned for safe raw milk

  • Performed an independent research study on pathogen growth in raw milk

  • Amassed hundreds of raw milk test data from RAWMI LISTED farms 

  • Attended and sponsored International Milk Genomics Consortium Conference

  • Worked with researchers from Spectacular Labs who are developing on-farm technology for pathogen testing

  • Worked towards legalization of interstate raw butter and increased legal access to raw milk in Iowa and Canada (with Canadian Artisan Dairy Alliance)

  • Published 9 content pieces on the RAWMI website and developed new brochure on the Benefits of Raw Milk

  • Developed on-farm lab training materials and provided on-farm lab sponsorships to 5 farms

Raw Milk Training

RAWMI taught about raw milk health benefits and safety throughout the United States via web-based training. Whenever RAWMI teaches about raw milk risk management, soil and conditions management are emphasized as key elements in creating healthy, sustainable farms.

Dairy animals grazing on pastures provide a critical link to the soil biome and restorative farm practices. Pasture-based dairy farms produce healthy soils that are rehabilitated and renewed through the cycle of returning organic carbon to the soil in the form of plants biomass and manure. The resulting food that is harvested by either the animals or the farmer is rich in nutritional elements needed for human health. 

Real-Time Training Courses

Via Zoom and podcast, raw milk and organic farming training was presented to over 250 farmers, legislators, university professors, university students, and consumers in association with the following:

  • Massachusetts Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA-Mass)

  • Rutgers University

  • Here’s to Your Health podcast with Josh Lane

On-Demand Training Course

RAWMI developed a 17-part video training series on Raw Milk Risk Management. This training series is now available for FREE on both the RAWMI website and Vimeo.  This video training has been accessed by hundreds of farmers.

Raw Milk Support in Montana

In Montana, raw milk was recently legalized with no regulatory oversight with the adoption of SB199.  This seeming victory for food freedom has the potential to go awry if raw dairy farmers are not properly trained in the production of low-risk raw milk. 

After an outbreak of Campylobacter was tied to one raw dairy farm in Montana, RAWMI was contacted and became heavily involved in helping the farmer learn best practices for raw milk production, install an on-farm lab for milk bacterial testing, and build better facilities for ongoing production of safe raw milk.

RAWMI is now collaborating with state and local regulators to develop a model for training Montana raw milk farmers in the production of low-risk raw milk. In partnership with Alternative Energy Resources Organization (AERO), RAWMI was awarded a small grant for $5k to cover travel costs for onsite training in Montana later in 2022. This training program will help in ensuring that the legalization of raw milk in Montana is a long-term success.  

Farmer Mentoring  

RAWMI worked with individual farmers across the United States, Canada, and internationally. RAWMI provided one-on-one mentoring and troubleshooting support for low-risk raw milk production, including helping farmers optimize their raw milk production, overcome problems in their milk systems and testing, and learn more about successful business practices.  This mentorship benefited farmers in:

  • California

  • Idaho

  • Iowa

  • Michigan

  • Montana

  • North Dakota

  • Oregon

  • Pennsylvania

  • Texas

  • Vermont

  • Virginia

  • Washington

  • New Zealand

  • Czech Republic

  • British Columbia, Canada

  • Ontario, Canada

RAWMI LISTED Farms

RAWMI LISTED farmers are dedicated to producing clean, safe raw milk. The RAWMI listing process involves the development of individualized Risk Assessment and Management Plans (RAMPs) for managing the health and hygiene of each unique farm. RAWMI LISTED farms submit test data monthly to show that they are in compliance with RAWMI Common Standards, which target a rolling three-month average of <5,000 standard plate count (SPC) and <10 coliforms per ml of raw milk.

In the last year, RAWMI LISTED six more farms, in Virginia, California, Michigan, British Columbia Canada, North Carolina, and Arkansas. To-date, RAWMI has LISTED 29 farms, and there are currently 22 active LISTED farms in the United States and Canada.

RAWMI provided continuing support to all LISTED farmers to enable sustained excellence in low-risk raw milk. This included quarterly meetings for LISTED farmers, which allow the farmers to stay up-to-date on the latest lessons learned for safe raw milk, exchange ideas for improvements, and collaborate with the RAWMI Board of directors.

Raw Milk Research and Science

RAWMI’s mission includes supporting raw milk research and science. Through this work, RAWMI helps raw milk become safer and more accepted by regulatory agencies.

Pathogen Growth Study

In order to generate a stronger scientific basis for assessments of risks of pathogen growth in raw milk, RAWMI commissioned a pilot study on pathogen growth performed by an independent 3rd party lab certified to perform pathogen testing, Food Safety Net Services (FSNS).  This pilot study was partially paid for through donations. 

In this pilot study, samples of well-produced raw milk were purposely inoculated at two levels with the four main pathogens of concern for raw milk: E coli 0157:H7, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. The objective of this pilot study was to document growth characteristics of these pathogens in carefully produced raw milk over a period of 14 days when stored at the refrigeration temperature recommended by FDA and USDA.

The most relevant finding of the study was that at moderate Inoculum Level I, no pathogen growth was observed through at least 6 days of refrigerated storage. Over the study period of 14 days, the counts per mL of E coli 0157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. decreased over time. These results indicate that, when stored at the recommended refrigerator temperature, moderate to high counts of E coli 0157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. did not multiply over time in raw milk. Listeria monocytogenes exhibited some growth in this study after 9 days of refrigeration at both moderate- and high-level inoculum levels.

Raw Milk Bacterial Test Data

RAWMI LISTED farmers test their milk at least monthly for coliforms and Standard Plate Count (SPC). These tests provide a way to measure the amount of bacteria present in the milk, as well as providing a measure of the overall hygiene and cleanliness of the milk. Monthly testing serves as a useful confirmation step for ensuring that raw milk is being produced in a way that discourages pathogen growth and is therefore low-risk.

Test data from LISTED farms is submitted to RAWMI monthly. RAWMI amassed hundreds of test data from RAWMI LISTED farms over the last year.  This data can be used for raw milk research and demonstrates that low-risk raw milk is achievable on both small-scale and large-scale raw dairy farms.

International Milk Genomics Consortium

RAWMI was a sponsor of the 18th International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC) and attended the virtual IMGC conference. As part of that conference, RAWMI is now engaged with international research and relationships with PhD researchers across the world. The IMGC provides access to the most leading-edge studies on milk genomics.

An abstract about the pathogen growth pilot study is being prepared for presentation at the 19th IMGC conference later in 2022.

Development of On-Farm Pathogen Testing Technology

On-farm pathogen testing for raw milk has been considered too risky due to the potential for cross-contamination and inadvertent pathogen release.  However, researchers from Spectacular Labs are developing new technology for rapid on-farm pathogen testing. RAWMI collaborated with Spectacular Labs by providing a real-world farm environment where they could test their concept.

Raw Dairy Legalization and Support

RAWMI continued to collaborate with the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) towards the legalization of raw butter. Raw butter is an exceptionally nutritious food. For instance, the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is found in the butter fat membrane that covers fat globules. ALP decreases inflammation in the body; it is associated with good health and less chronic illness, such as cardiovascular disease and Type-2 diabetes. Raw milk has 4% butter fat, but raw butter contains 86% fat and thus it is very high in alkaline phosphatase.  ALP enzyme is destroyed by pasteurization. The case for legalization of raw butter is currently in Federal Appeals Court, and the next step is the US Supreme Court.

RAWMI worked towards legalization of raw milk in specific states and countries.  RAWMI provided support for lawmakers and farmers who were proposing a bill to legalize raw milk in Iowa.  Additionally, RAWMI collaborated with the Canadian Artisan Dairy Alliance, who is working towards legalization of raw milk in Canada.

RAWMI also created outreach materials for educating state agriculture departments about the benefits of raw milk for dairy farmers. RAWMI mailed letters to state agriculture departments all across the USA.

Raw Dairy Educational Outreach

RAWMI created educational materials and articles for raw milk consumers and the general public. Numerous articles were published to the RAWMI website and social media, with a wide array of topics including:

  • Allergies and raw milk

  • Profiles of 6 raw milk farmers across the USA and Canada

  • “It’s Time to Go Raw” seminar for organic dairy farmers

  • Pathogen growth in raw milk

  • Importance of predictive microbiology for raw milk risk assessment

  • Breastfeeding and peanut allergies

  • Benefits of milk on osteoarthritis

  • Raw milk and protection against eczema

  • Nutritional benefits of raw milk

  • How and why to make milk kefir

  • Dairy foods and fall prevention in older adults

  • Benefits of pasture-based farming

On-Farm Lab Training and Sponsorships

Frequent bacterial testing of raw milk is one of the pillars of producing low-risk raw milk. However, milk testing costs can be an ongoing financial burden which make small-scale farmers hesitant to test their milk often. On-farm testing is a great solution to this dilemma.

On-farm lab testing is a powerful tool for raw milk farmers.  It allows for frequent testing, so farmers can better identify issues before they turn into big problems, and it also helps immeasurably with troubleshooting when needed.  On-farm labs require an initial investment of $800-$1,000, but once the lab is in-place the cost per test is only $1-$3. With RAWMI’s sponsorship, five additional farms were able to build their own on-farm labs for testing coliforms and Standard Plate Count.

RAWMI also created educational materials about on-farm labs, including materials lists, how-to guides, and methods for using different brands of testing media.

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Welcoming Kelsey Barefoot to the RAWMI Board of Directors

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The Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) sends a warm welcome to Kelsey Barefoot, who has now joined our Board of Directors!  

Kelsey is a former Critical Care Nurse who quit her nursing job to pursue her passion for a healthier life for herself, her family, and her community. Kelsey has been an Admin Assistant for RAWMI for a year, helping with raw milk data collection, answering inquiries from our website, and mentoring farmers who are working on becoming Listed by RAWMI.  Kelsey is a natural fit to join the RAWMI Board of Directors and she brings an additional farmer’s perspective to the table.

At Kelsey’s own micro-dairy herdshare, The Barefoot Cow, she tests her milk frequently in her on-farm lab. Kelsey’s farm became Listed by RAWMI last Fall, and her experience has been a great asset in assisting other farmers who are pursuing the production of low-risk raw milk. Kelsey’s farm is an extension of the generational family farm, as she was mentored by her parents at Jewel Hill Farms, another RAWMI Listed farm.

Congratulations to Kelsey in joining our Board of Directors!