Report of Michigan Fresh Unprocessed Whole Milk Workgroup

Get the Raw Truth: The Fight for Fresh, Unprocessed Milk and Consumer Choice

For decades, the debate over raw milk--or as advocates call it, Fresh Unprocessed Whole Milk--has stirred controversy, legal battles, and passionate grassroots activism. In this report, discover the untold story of Michigan’s pivotal fight for access to unpasteurized milk, a movement that brought together farmers, consumers, scientists, and policymakers in a groundbreaking effort to reshape public policy.

From the 2006 legal crackdown on raw milk distribution to the formation of a diverse workgroup dedicated to balancing food freedom and safety, this report chronicles the tireless discussions, scientific debates, and legal challenges that shaped the future of raw milk in Michigan. What emerged was more than a policy report--it was a movement.

Through years of collaboration, compromise, and consensus, the Michigan Fresh Unprocessed Whole Milk Workgroup addressed key questions:

• Is raw milk safe?
• What role should the government play in regulating herd shares?
• How can consumers make informed choices about unpasteurized dairy?

Bringing together expert insights, personal stories, and the latest research on raw milk benefits, this is an essential read for farmers, food freedom advocates, and anyone curious about the future of dairy and consumer rights.

Knowledge is power--and when it comes to food, choice matters.

Michigan Fresh Unprocessed Whole Milk Workgroup members:
Elaine Brown, Executive Director, Michigan Food & Farming Systems, January 2007 - Dec 2011 (Moderator)
Ted Beals, MD, Retired pathologist, faculty U of Mich. Med. School; Director, Farm-to-Consumer Foundation; and MI Fresh Milk Council, January 2007 - present
Peggy Beals, RN, Teacher, lecturer, and author: Traditional Food Preparation and Food Safety; Leader, South Central Michigan Chapter, Weston A. Price Foundation; NonpaidAdministrator and member, MI Fresh Milk Council; and Director, Farm-to-Consumer Foundation, January 2007 - present
Susan Esser, Food and Dairy Division Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, January 2007 - present
Frank Fear, Sr., PhD, Associate Dean, MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Kettering Project Principal, January 2007 - Dec 2011
Katherine Fedder, Director, Food and Dairy Division, Michigan Department of Agriculture, January 2007 - December 2010
Jesse and Betsy Meerman, Cow Share Dairy Farmers, March 2011- present
Jennifer Nord, Environmental Sanitarian, University of Michigan, September 2011- present
John Partridge, PhD, Michigan State University, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, May 2011 - present
Rosanne Ponkowski, Executive Director, Healthy Traditions Network, Metro Detroit Chapter, Weston A. Price Foundation and Member of MI Fresh Milk Council, January 2007 - present
Joe Scrimger, Principle, Bio-Systems; Life Time Foods; Scrimger Farm and Member MI Fresh Milk Council; Member of Healthy Traditions Network; and Chair of Michigan Thumb Organics (MTO), January 2007 - present
Gary Trimner, Director of Member Services, Michigan Milk Producers Association, January 2007 - December 2011
John and Patti Warnke, Cow Share Dairy Farmers and Members MI Fresh Milk Council, January 2007 to June 2011