Congratulations to Lindsay Harris and Evan Reiss of Family Cow Farmstand in Hinesburg for becoming the first certified raw milk producer in Vermont after passage of Act 62!
Here’s their press release!
Press Release
What: Family Cow Farmstand, LLC in Hinesburg, becomes the first Vermont state certified, raw milk producer under Act 62, the new raw milk law.
When: We passed our state inspection on Friday, October 16th, 2009, which was our final step to becoming the first state certified, Tier II, raw milk producer.
Where: Family Cow Farmstand
2386 Shelburne Falls Road
Hinesburg, Vermont
Who: Lindsay Harris and Evan Reiss
802 482 4440
familycows@gmail.com
www.familycowfarmstand.com
2386 Shelburne Falls Rd
Hinesburg, VT 05461
Act 62, the new raw milk law, took effect on July 1st 2009. This law set up a tiered system of raw milk regulation. Under the new law, Tier II farms can sell up to 40 gallons of raw milk per day and/or deliver milk to customers’ homes. Family Cow Farmstand has been in compliance with all of the Tier II rules since July, but was waiting for the state inspector to come out to the farm. After repeated delays, state milk inspector, Susan James, finally visited on Friday, October 16th, 2009.
Family Cow Farmstand passed the inspection, thereby becoming the very first state inspected, raw milk farm. Other requirements are that the farm have their milk tested twice monthly at a federally accredited lab, have healthy cows that undergo routine screening and vaccinations, have sanitary facilities and equipment and practice sanitary milking procedures.
Farms that want to continue to sell up to 50 quarts of raw milk per day (Tier I) are not required to have their milk tested or pass an inspection.
Given the current crisis in wholesale dairy pricing and high costs associated with running a dairy farm, this law increases opportunities for dairy farmers to sell their milk directly to their communities. Farmers get around $1 per gallon for wholesale milk and anywhere from $5 – $12 per gallon retail.
This law also increases opportunities for consumers. There may be more raw milk available through increased sales and by delivery.
For more information on raw milk and the new raw milk law, see Family Cow Farmstand’s and Rural Vermont’s websites at www.familycowfarmstand and www.ruralvermont.org.
Family Cow Farmstand is a grass-based micro dairy, specializing in the production of high-quality, delicious milk straight from the cow. We milk four Jersey and Guernsey cows and sell all the milk raw, directly to our community from our farmstand. We are going to begin delivering milk to Burlington and surrounding communities as well. We are accepting new subscription, delivery and walk-in customers.
Please contact us for more information.
