The B.C. Fresh Milk Project

​Sponsored by the British Columbia Herdshare Association (BCHA)

Introduction: ​

Canadian laws prohibiting the sale and distribution of farm-fresh, unprocessed milk are based the assumption that this product invariably contains pathogens which cause disease outbreaks.  However, this assumption could be based on “old data” which no longer reflects current production practices. 

 The California-based Raw Milk Institute. (est.  2011) has developed an on-farm food safety (OFFS) program called the "Risk Analysis and Management Planning" (RAMP) system, which train farmers in production methods that prevent contamination and preserve quality.  The BCHA (est. 2014) provides this training to farmers in British Columbia. ​

This small pilot project examines the effectiveness of RAWMI training, in preparation for a formal research project to be undertaken by a research university.  Participating microdairy herdshare farms in B.C., with both trained and untrained agisters, have volunteered to send in milk samples for bacterial testing.   Lab test results are published as they arrive, and are thus available to the public, researchers, and governments.

Links:  ​

• Compiled test results spreadsheet:  http://tinyurl.com/bcfm-compiled-results
• Original test result PDFs from the lab: http://tinyurl.com/bcfm-test-results
• Participant Farms:   https://tinyurl.com/bcfm-farms
• General files folder:   http://tinyurl.com/bcfm-files
• Project Participants’  ​On-Farm Food Safety Plans
• This document:  http://tinyurl.com/bcfm-project
• U.S. Outbreaks Related to Pasteurized Dairy Products (1966 - )

​How You Can Help:

• ​If you are a herdshare agister -  cowshare, goatshare or sheepshare -  join this project.
• If you belong to a herdshare as a livestock co-owner (member), you want the best and safest milk possible from your animals.  Ask your hired agister about joining this project.  Test result PDFs can be emailed out to herdshare members, so your livestock owner group can monitor the quality of your milk.
• We receive no government funding for this project.  Please donate to BCHA  to help participants cover courier costs to transport samples to the lab (approximately $50 per sample for overnight delivery to the lab) and testing costs ($55+GST).

To send us, questions, comments, or suggestions:
Email [email protected]

This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other health care professional. You should not rely upon or follow the programs or techniques of use any of the products and services made available by or through the use of this website for decision making without obtaining the advice of a physician or other health care professional. The nutritional and other information on this website are not intended to be and do not constitute health care or medical advice.