06/02/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18rk2j2fqu/
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Hello from the Carters!
We wanted to connect with our HAPPY COW followers and let you know what's happening with us and let you know if some changes.
We have been selling cheese at local farmer's markets for a few years now. It has been a true joy and helped keep our farm going and cows fed.
Unfortunately, the Minnesota Department of Ag has given a letter of notice telling us we have to stop selling our cheese and if we don't get an inspected facility. If we do not comply there will be a $1500 fine per incident until we have the inspected facility.
They informed us that they have been watching my page and have kept track of what we are doing and where we are going.
We have written to the Minnesota Ag Commissioner, Thom Petersen and met with a dairy inspector Amanda Johnson and even had her to our farm to see what we could do to become an inspected facility.
Since we only have a few cows we cannot see how we can comply. After talking with other farms trying to become inspected and getting into huge debt and stories of clashing with the inspector we just can't see a way forward.
We still have the cows! They are still giving milk! We are making cheese because that is what we do!
For now we just don't know what the future holds for us. Getting rid of our cows that we have bottle raised and cared for their entire lives seems impossible.
We love our lifestyle so it is hard to imagine it without the farmer's markets and our cheese loving friends and maybe even without our beloved cows.
THE GOOD NEWS...selling raw milk is legal in Minnesota. So our raw milk customers need not worry. You are what make us tick. We've been selling raw milk for 13+ years and we plan to continue. If you're interested in getting raw milk this would be a great time to do that!!
I also wanted to say a special thanks to Park Rapids Farmers' Market, Green Scene Market & Eatery and other venues that have made us feel welcome and have worked with us this year hoping at the last minute we could figure it out.
Thank you to all the customers of the farmers markets that have made us feel loved.
We do plan to continue to do cheese classes so if you want to make cheese watch our page and I'll be putting some dates out there. (We do private classes, too!)
If you ever want to stop by our farm just let us know. We'd love to show you around--your inspection is what matters to us.
Until then we will be still hoping and working toward FREEDOM TO BUY AND SELL WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.
Julia and Jonathan Carter
