Raw Milk Movement Marches On

Prior to the industrialization of our nation, families consumed milk directly from their cow and would also be free to sell any excess milk or milk-derived products to neighbors and city folk. Today, this milk is no longer simply called milk, but must be specifically referred to as “Raw Milk”.  This is to denote to the general public that it is still in its raw state – not refined by the commercial dairy industry that has so highly received the mark of excellence by the FDA.

When the industrialization and commercialization of our nation erupted, normal family dairy practices were replaced on the mass production scale to meet the needs of larger populations in cities. These practices veered away from the normal diet that cows were created to eat and hygiene practices were less than ideal as was also seen in many factories and sweatshops of that time. The milk produced in this fashion was not the pure, nutrient dense Real Milk that had once come from the family farm. Much more information on the commercialization of the dairy industry can be found in Dr. Ron Schmid’s book, The Untold Story of Milk. 

During the last quarter century and more specifically in the last decade in the United States, more and more people are becoming concerned with the quality and safety of their food from main stream food sources. They are beginning to question why the food purchased directly from the farmer can not be of as high, if not higher, quality than that produced by the commercial food industry. This same trend has been seen in the incredible growth of the organic food market.

Unfortunately, rather than hearing the outcry of the people, state and federal government agencies have remained stolid in their ban of milk produced from the local farmer for direct availability to the consumer. They stand under the premise from the FDA that there are inherent dangers in milk that has not been homogenized and pasteurized; thus producing a major public health threat.  However, the epidemiological data does not support the continuance of such a stance.

The voices of the people must be heard.  There are too few raw milk farmers to make a difference at our State Capitols.  The masses of people that desire freedom in selecting the best foods for their families must speak out. You are encouraged to do so by writing your legislature, becoming familiar with those on your State Agriculture Committees, becoming educated about your state’s current legislation regarding raw milk and other proposed legislation that will affect your farmer.