Ripple Run Farms

Health Benefits, Ohio Laws, and How We Do It at Ripple Run Farms Raw milk is one of the most debated foods in the country right now. Some people see it as dangerous. Others see it as one of the most nutrient dense foods you can consume. At Ripple Run Farms, we believe intransparency, education, and letting families make informed decisions. Raw milk is milk that hasnot been pasteurized. No high heat processing No high heat processing No alteration of its natural state No alteration of its natural state Just clean, fresh milk from the cow, properly handled and cooled Just clean, fresh milk from the cow, properly handled and cooled For most of human history, this was simply called… milk. The Health Benefits of Raw Milk This is why people seek it out. 1. Naturally Occurring Nutrients Fat soluble vitamins like A, D, and K2 Fat soluble vitamins like A, D, and K2 Many believe pasteurization changes or reduces parts of this natural profile. 2. Easier for Some People to Digest A lot of families report they can drink raw milk but struggle with store bought milk. Natural lactase enzymes Natural lactase enzymes A2/A2 protein structure in some herds A2/A2 protein structure in some herds 3. Gut Health Support Because raw milk contains beneficial bacteria, many believe it can support: 4. Real Food From a Known Source When you buy from a local farm, you know: How the milk is handled How the milk is handled That transparency is a big deal. Why Pasteurization Started (And Why It Mattered) This is where most people miss the full story. Pasteurization wasn’t created because milk itself was bad. It was created becausemilk production became industrialized before sanitation caught up. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s: Cows were often kept in crowded, unsanitary city conditions Cows were often kept in crowded, unsanitary city conditions Milk was transported long distances without refrigeration Milk was transported long distances without refrigeration Equipment was not properly cleaned Equipment was not properly cleaned Water was often added to milk, increasing contamination risk Water was often added to milk, increasing contamination risk At that time, diseases like tuberculosis and brucellosis could spread through poorly handled milk. Pasteurization became apublic health solutionto a very real problem. And it worked. What’s Different Today? Fast forward to today, and the environment is completely different, especially on small, local farms. Modern sanitation practices Modern sanitation practices Stainless steel equipment Stainless steel equipment Rapid cooling systems Rapid cooling systems Regular herd health monitoring Regular herd health monitoring Clean, controlled milking environments Clean, controlled milking environments In other words… the original problems pasteurization was solving arelargely preventable today when milk is handled properly. That doesn’t mean raw milk is risk free. Nothing is. But it does mean the conversation should includehow the milk is produced, not just whether it is pasteurized. Is Raw Milk Good for Cholesterol? CLA (linked to metabolic health) CLA (linked to metabolic health) It is still a full fat food, so your overall diet matters more than any one item. But many people moving toward whole, unprocessed foods see improvements in overall health markers. How Long Does Raw Milk Last? When handled properly and kept cold: Typically7 to 10 days Typically7 to 10 days Sometimes longer depending on freshness Sometimes longer depending on freshness Keep it cold and sealed. Treat it like a fresh farm product… because it is. Can You Legally Buy Raw Milk in Ohio? Here’s where people get confused, so let’s be clear. You cannot legally sell raw milk for human consumption in Ohio through standard retail. The Legal Path: Pet Milk In Ohio, raw milk can be legally sold aspet foodwhen properly labeled. It is sold as“pet milk” It is sold as“pet milk” It isnot la