We just got the following email from Winton Pitcoff and the NOFA Raw Milk Network. It indicates a victory for those of us who made a lot of noise after the Mass. Department of Agriculture proposed new regulations on raw milk and milk buying clubs. But it also indicates that those who would like to further restrict the sale of raw milk might be gearing up for an even bigger battle later on.

We get the sense that the pro-farmer contigency at the Dept. of Ag at least exists and truly sees the economic value of raw milk to Massachusetts dairies, but is facing a big beast of opposition from the industry… we mean, the Department of Health.

Check it out:

… Commissioner Scott Soares said that the department will not hold additional hearings on raw milk regulations at this time, and the regulations as they are currently written will stand during what he said he expects to be a lengthy process leading up to any changes. Soares indicated that as a result of internal review and comments that have been collected regarding this issue thus far, adequate examination will exceed the current resources and capacity of the agency. “In the interest of providing sufficient attention to matters associated with raw milk,” said Soares, “the agency will indefinitely postpone any further public work around regulatory changes that were proposed in April.”

That said, Soares told NOFA the cease and desist orders that were sent to formal buying clubs, like Just Dairy, still stand. However, it seems like there’s a glimmer of hope that regulators will come to some resolution that might provide a safe and “legal” space for such operations.

Soares said that as the Department continues its examination of the regulations, “everything is on the table. We will consider extended sales and what it would take to make those sales safe.” He reiterated MDAR’s commitment to on-farm raw milk sales, and said that there have been no discussions to eliminate or further restrict such sales.

It’s interesting to take a look at these FAQs on raw milk the Dept. of Ag posted after the May 10 hearing, where, by the way, hundreds of raw milk supporters turned out to provide several hours worth of comments and testimony. For more info on that hearing and the discussion that followed, we direct you to Alex Lewin’s thorough roundup. (All told, there were 285 comments submitted and all but one of them were in opposition to the Dept. of Ag’s proposed regulations. The one comment in favor came from the the Dept. of Health.)

We owe a lot to the Raw Milk Network at NOFA and especially to Winton Pitcoff for translating what all of this means for us raw milk consumers. So if you’re the kind of person who, you know, doesn’t have to work or can spare a few vacation days, you should take a trip out to the Pioneer Valley this summer and support the work they’re doing. The Raw Milk Network is hosting a symposium at UMass on Aug. 13. and there’s a fundraiser at Cook Farm in Hadley the day before, where we can assure you, you will be in proximity of some very delicious ice cream.