Status Quo:  Currently, retail sales of raw milk and cow-share operations are not legal in Maryland.

Background:  In April 2006, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene changed Maryland regulations to redefine a cow-share as a sale of raw milk, specifically to make cow shares illegal. Until then, cow shares were a good means for Maryland consumers to obtain raw milk from their own dairy animals. We have been working for the past two years to regain access to raw milk in Maryland.  Recognizing the right to contract with farmers in a cow share is a great first step.  When this bill passes, we will once again have the choice of getting our fresh milk in Maryland by engaging with farmers to keep and care for our dairy animals.

Legislative Bill:  HB 1080   http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/billfile/hb1080.htm

Action Alerts:

March 24, 2009 – HB 1542 A bill creating opportunity for Maryland egg producers is in the Health and Government Operations Committee.

March 17, 2009– HB 1080 Fresh Milk Hearing

Feb. 13, 2009 http://www.farmtoconsumer.org/aa/aa-13feb2009.htm

Bill Sponsor:  Delegate JB Jennings, [email protected]  (301) 858-3698

Contact:   Liz Reitzig, President, MICFA (Maryland Independent Consumers & Farmers Association) [email protected] (301) 860-0535 

History of Raw Milk in Maryland: http://www.realmilk.com/happening.html#md

Press and Posts:

Mar. 16, 2009 Raw Milk Sales to Be Debated in Annapolis

Mar. 14, 2009 Farm Bureau in Maryland Decides to Thwart Farmers Efforts

Mar. 14, 2009 Economic Benefits for Maryland Farmers in Proposed Cow-Share Legislation

Mar. 4, 2009 Small Dairies in Maryland Need Life Support

Feb. 22, 2009 Swallow Peanuts, But Choke on Raw Milk?

Feb. 20, 2009  Md. Bill Would Permit Cow Ownership Agreements

Feb. 17, 2009  Press Release

Feb. 17, 2009  Raw Milk Debate