Got milk?

Today we sold a couple gallons of raw milk A couple gallons of milk went to a new home and it is a good feeling. There are so many rules that go with this though, that it seems like such a hassle. Here are the rules for Kansas:

Summary:

"On-farm retail sales" of raw milk and raw milk products are legal to the "final consumer." The farmer can only advertise the sales of raw dairy with a sign posted on the farm. The sign must state that the milk or milk products are raw. Farmers must clearly label as "ungraded raw milk" each container of unpasteurized milk for sale.

Farmers whose business consists only of on-farm sales of raw milk do not need a license to operate. The Department of Agriculture considers farmers selling raw butter or cream to be running a "dairy manufacturing plant" and requires them to obtain a dairy manufacturing plant license.

The state does not inspect farmers selling raw milk and raw milk products on a routine basis like they inspect farmers selling Grade A raw milk for pasteurization. They only inspect raw milk and raw milk product sellers if there is a complaint.

Kansas Statutes
Chapter 65. PUBLIC HEALTH
Article 7. MILK, CREAM AND DAIRY PRODUCTS

65-789. Unlawful acts.

(d) sell, offer for sale or have in such person's possession with the intent to sell at retail to the final consumer any milk or milk product which has not been inspected and designated Grade A pasteurized in accordance with the provisions of this act and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder, except that on-farm retail sales of milk or milk products shall be exempt from the provisions of this act unless stated otherwise; or

65-771. Definitions

(b) "Dairy manufacturing plants" means any place where dairy products, Grade A milk or milk products are manufactured or prepared for sale or distribution, either at wholesale or retail. This term shall not include a licensed food service establishment which is licensed to manufacture homemade ice cream pursuant to this act.

(w) "On-farm retail sales of milk or milk products" means the sale of milk or milk products on the farm by the producer from the production of the dairy herd to the final consumer, so long as the person making such sales does not promote the sale of milk or milk products to the public in any manner other than by the erection of a sign upon the premises of the dairy farm. The advertisement upon any such sign shall state that such milk or milk products are raw and shall be in letters of a uniform size. Each container in which any unpasteurized milk is sold or offered for sale shall be clearly labeled as ungraded raw milk.

Chapter 65. PUBLIC HEALTH
Article 7. MILK, CREAM AND DAIRY PRODUCTS

65-778. License requirement for certain persons engaged in milk, cream or dairy business; fees

(a) Any person who engages in business as a dairy manufacturing plant shall first apply for and obtain a dairy manufacturing plant license from the secretary and shall pay a license fee of $120, or commencing July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2005, a license fee of $155.

Here is a great site to find out the rules for your state. I am thankful that we are in Kansas where it is legal to sell the milk and milk products (with a license), as there are many other states that it is not legal. In those cases there are many "milk share" programs that have sprung up to circumvent the law. Funny how something natural can be so heavily regulated in the form it is best for us, making it difficult to get.