You may ask why we say we’re not a government sanctioned source, and why we add the stigmatic phrase of “Buyer Beware?” Here’s why…
In Pennsylvania, the option exists for a state-issued raw milk permit, which is to say if we were so inclined, we could opt for the state’s oversight in our raw milk production. That said, the state-issued permit only allows raw fluid milk and 60-day-aged raw cheese. That means no raw heavy cream, no bright-yellow raw butter, no unpasteurized yogurt, no raw milk kefir, and no raw sour cream, cream cheese, or cottage cheese. The barring of all these sought-after dairy products makes the permit more of a prohibition than a permission. Having been producing and marketing raw milk and dairy products for nearly fifteen years, we keenly feel the desire our patrons have for these products and have chosen to circumvent the raw milk permit and fill this niche in the most honest manner we know.
Without sounding too harsh or judgmental, let me point out that some farms in Pennsylvania have opted for the state-issued raw milk permit, but also have what is called a "pet food" license. The prohibited dairy products mentioned above—which are not allowed under the raw milk permit—are then produced and labeled “for cats and dogs” or "not for human consumption", along with the statement that they are processed according to “human consumption” standards.
Why are we in such a place in the food system where producers posture compliance and operate in such a circuitous manner? Why pretend to abide by food police requirements while marketing certain products under the guise of pet food, when in reality it's not being used for pets? Yes, it is technically legal, simply because there is no law banning raw dairy for pet food, but everyone involved knows these products are not being purchased or used for pet food. The farmers know, the regulators know, and the buyers know. This shows it's not really about food safety and protecting the populace like the regulators claim, but about control of commerce via licenses and permits. Why not call them out on this inconsistency? Why not be honest and stand for truth?
In our view licensure, especially in regard to raw milk, is a leash that allows farmers to operate only according to the terms provided by the (unelected) bureaucrats in charge of the permitting process. An arrangement, by the way, that often turns out to be a non-negotiable based on the interpretation and whims of individual inspectors. This leash, so to speak, is a fickle one-sided contract-of-sorts that depends upon the proper behavior of the applicant, which is to say if he is deemed to have infracted the regulation according to the inspector’s interpretation, he will be stripped of the ability to sell raw milk until such a time when he is considered worthy to be reinstated. That, for us, is too untenable a position given the scores of families who depend on us for daily nourishment.
Plus, we already know the agencies in charge of the raw dairy permitting process dislike the existence of a raw milk market (because they have essentially become gatekeepers for the pasteurized milk lobby), therefore it's not more than reasonable that if said alternative market gains too much traction the pet food license option could be taken off the table, given they largely don't answer to anyone for their decisions or actions. This begs the question of, why would we contract with an agency who hates our values, and those of our patrons?
Many people are under the impression that raw dairy is a banned substance, and it's just not true. Cocaine, heroin, alcohol to underage persons, etc., are banned substances. The difference is that banned substances are illegal both to buy and to sell. This isn't true with raw milk or further processed raw dairy products. We can give away all the unlicensed raw milk we want, but when we accept money for it is when it becomes a violation. Plus, if you can convince me to sell you unlicensed raw milk, it's not on you, it's on me as the seller. In other words, it's not illegal to buy it, only to sell. How does this align with a so-called "concern for public health?"
With all that said, choosing to forego the state-issued permit for raw milk has put us at odds with the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) and the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) which resulted in an eight-month legal conflict in 2021. With our desire to be completely forthright without actually bowing to food police overreach, we didn't know otherwise than to openly and respectfully state who we are, what we do (produce and sell uninspected raw dairy products), and that we only cater to folks who voluntarily opt out of the public food supply (supermarkets, restaurants, etc.) and choose to purchase directly from our farm in a private person-to-person transaction. We also clearly acknowledged that we’re not interested in the licenses and permits (contracts) the state or county has to offer. This completely forthright stance seemed to baffle the powers that be, and after a several-month back-and-forth on the district court level, they abandoned the case when it advanced to the PA Supreme Court in the fall of 2021.
To be clear, we're not opposed to government involvement in the food supply per se, we believe it has a place in the public food supply where the eater is removed or disconnected from the producer. There, the licensing and permitting process is necessary to protect the consumer from corner-cutting and other shenanigans by less-than-upright producers. But we also believe the food of our choice is an inalienable right, and if educated adults choose to obtain food from a direct source that openly and honestly publishes the fact that it is unlicensed and "not in compliance" that should be allowed. Actually, until 1967 all direct-from-the-farm food was exempt from licenses and permits mandated in the public food sector.
So, because we’re not in cahoots with government regulators or the food police and have this desire to be completely honest and forthright with you as well as with any regulators, we say, “buyer beware”. But it’s not because we lack faith in our ability to meet or exceed regulatory standards. We are cultish about producing food in nature’s template, about maximizing animal health, about spotlessly clean milk facilities and equipment, and prompt cooldown of milk immediately after milking.
Although our dairy is relatively tiny (20-30 cows), it is fully equipped with modern stainless-steel equipment, contemporary cooling systems, and a dedicated processing area for the further processed product. However, because the PA Raw Milk Permit limits the production of these further processed dairy products our patrons want and need, we've chosen not to seek oversight with the powers-that-be and choose to be completely forthright and open with the fact that our farm is “not government approved.”
Nevertheless, so confident are we in the integrity and cleanliness of the nourishment we present that we offer complete satisfaction or your money back. Plus, we feed it to our family and have for nearly 15 years with no ill effects, rather a level of favorable health that we wish for you and your family as well.
Do you trust uninspected raw dairy? We welcome your feedback so feel free to contact us and let us know what you think.