Starting a New Grade "A" Dairy Farm
Who needs a license?
If you want to sell raw milk for processing into any Grade "A" milk or milk products you are required to have a Grade "A" Dairy farm permit, regardless of the size of the farm.
How do I apply for a license?
An individual should contact the Lansing Office at 800-292-3939 for more information regarding operating a dairy farm.
Are there any special requirements to obtain a license?
Yes. An inspection and a water sample are required. There are other requirements - for additional information review "Summary of Requirements for Grade "A" Dairy Farm Milk Production in Michigan" DY-348.
Who do I contact for an inspection?
An individual who is interested in operating a Grade "A" dairy farm should contact the Lansing office at 800-292-3939.
Establishing a new Dairy Farm in accordance with the Grade "A" Milk Law of 2001
- Read "Summary of Requirements for Grade "A" Dairy Farm Milk Production in Michigan", DY-348
- Contact the Lansing Office at 800-292-3939 to set up a meeting with a Michigan Department of Agriculture dairy inspector.
- The inspector will work with the prospective dairy farmer through the planning and development stages, until the farm meets licensing and inspection criteria.
- For further information, review:
These may or may not apply to your specific situation.
- Once the farm is established and issued a permit, any future changes need to be reviewed with the local inspector.
- Requests for additional information can be made by email at
mda-dairyinfo@michigan.gov
- Some construction plan tips
Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance of 2007
