WA State and Micro-dairies/raw milk issues

[rmockler]

Haven't seen this pop up recently in this forum, but here an interesting article re: recent developments here with the ongoing issues surrounding raw milk, food inspection in general, and, by extension, the role of small farmers in our food chain. At least as told here, the state is cracking down on microdairies who don't play by the rules.

What do folks think about this?

[chuck]

Two things I didn't know:

'In Washington state, raw milk sales are legal if the farm is licensed through the state, which requires monthly testing of the milk and inspection of the farm and milk bottling room.'

'Six dairies in the state are licensed to sell Grade A raw milk, both goat and cow...'

Anyone know which dairies are licensed?

I'd love to try raw milk. I've heard about the kid on Vashon with the cow, but never really made it over there. In general, licensing is a very good idea. Hopefully as this issue gains publicity the regulations for small production will more accurately reflect a rational concern for safety rather than sensationalism.

[dandelion]

You can get raw goat millk at Pike Place Creamery (Pike Place Market, in the Sanitary Market Building). They were trying to get raw cow's milk from Vashon, but last time I checked they didn't have it yet; they were trying to figure out the logistics of getting it to Seattle on a regular basis.

Related thread is here: <a href="http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=71575&hl=milk">Raw Milk/Cream</a>

Edited November 29, 2005 by dandelion (log)

[Bantams]

I thought you might like to see the full-length version:

http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/11/...ection=business

Here are the six Grade A Raw Dairies in WA that I know of:

Rainhaven Goat Dairy - Duvall (goat)

Debbie Higgins (425) 788-7735 or Debbie_at_Rainhaven@hotmail.com

Garden Home Farm - Mt. Vernon (goat)

jsschleh@yahoo.com or www.gardenhomefarm.com.

Conway Family Farms - Camas (goat)

Shaun, Lorrie, Ashley & Amber Conway

(360) 834-0315, conwayclan@juno.com, www.conwayfamilyfarm.com.

Grace Harbor Farms - Custer (goat and cow)

Tim & Grace Lukens

(360) 366-4151, Tim@graceharborfarms.com , www.graceharborfarms.com

Our Lady of the Rock Monastery - Shaw Island (cow)

http://www.rockisland.com/~mhildegard/

I am pretty sure Estrella Dairy recently got their liscence to sell raw milk as well as the cheese.

Estrella Family Dairy - Montesano (cow?/goat?)

(360-249-6541)

Dandelion, I don't think Pike Place Creamery will have raw cow milk anytime soon, because that Vashon source is not certified, or even close to being ready (this is a different farm from mine).

Kelsey

(the "kid on Vashon with the cow" and the one in the article!)

http://bantams.the-kozaks.com/Creamery/

[MGLloyd]

I used to be out on Vashon, living on Cove. Haven't I read about you in the Beachcomber? And aren't you close to Cove? From your picture on your website, you look awfully darn familiar, and I wonder if I have seen you at McMurray or the high school with the other students.

Edited November 29, 2005 by MGLloyd (log)

[MGLloyd]

Deleted double post.

Edited November 29, 2005 by MGLloyd (log)