Oct 26 2008
Is the Internet Bad for Small Farms?
Who knew that the Internet would be bad for small farms? State officials are now learning about farms that are selling raw milk and eggs by searching for them on the Internet, and then shutting them down. This causes concern for the “small guy” who is trying to earn money from their enterprises. Getting the word out that they do have certain products for sale is difficult enough, and now they will be driven “underground” in order to keep their farm and not be thrown in jail.
One such website, Chicken Feed,was helping to advertise these types of businesses until they learned about officials in Florida combing the web, searching for these farm businesses.
I’ve come across some interesting information from the aforementioned website, mostly from individuals posting comments. Some farmers are getting around the issue of selling raw milk by selling it as “pet milk.” In doing so, they can sell their raw milk to anyone, and what they do with the milk once they get home is their own business. Everyone who buys raw milk should be aware that unpasteurized milk can harbor certain germs- so buyer beware.
Personally I drink raw milk because there is nothing like the taste and having real cream, not the stuff sold in the stores, can’t be beat for taste in my coffee. I know exactly where my milk comes from, and I can just walk across the street to my barn and get as much milk as I want from our tank.
If you really want to make money from selling your milk you’re going to have to set up a processing area and pasteurize your milk. Cider operations now have to do this, and it is no small wonder that milk producers have to do the same. Otherwise, join a co-op and sell your milk this way.
If you’re trying to skirt the law, don’t post your business on the Internet!
