a success in Pennsylvania

[Guest guest]

After working as a veterinarian for several years in Texas, Mark moved back to Pennsylvania last fall to be close to his family in Berks County while opening a raw milk dairy in Yellow House.In April, 's Ayrshire cows arrived at the family farm, and the course of milking began. The land hadn't been used for farming purposes in 10 years. He later named the business Wholesome Dairy Farms.

grew up on this farm drinking raw milk. Unlike the processed milk commonly for sale in chain grocery stores, raw milk from grass-fed cows, as its name indicates, is neither pasteurized nor homogenized.

Although research on the health benefits of raw milk is limited, evidence is available that suggests its higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are anti-carcinogenic, said.

"It's kind of a wonder nutrient," said. "It's intriguing how this set of fatty acids is beneficial to the diet."

explained that CLAs are known to have reduced the size of cancerous tumors.

Back in Texas, served as a formal practitioner for dairy cows. As a result, he said that he has a well-rounded background in caring for the farm animals.

He graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 2003 as a doctor of veterinary medicine.

rents 50 out of 200 acres from his uncle in order to leave plenty of grazing room for his 40 cows and 11 calves.

"They're such good grazers," said about his cows, which are a ish breed known for their higher cheese yield.

The cows are milked twice a day, one at a time, using four machines which are attached to a hose linking to the milk pipeline, which then leads into a 600 gallon stainless steel tank refrigerator, said.

When the raw milk cools down to 36 degrees Fahrenheit, it is filled into jugs and ready to sell in the milk house, said.

"An independent lab picks up the raw milk twice a month to test for bacteria," said.

These tests are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. must have his cows' health tested annually.

Human consumption of raw milk is not generally accepted by the national health community and is only legal in a handful of states which put heavy regulation on its production.

But according to the charity-based research organization, the Weston A. Price Foundation, responsibly handled raw milk is safe and in fact more nutrient-dense than pasteurized milk.

"Raw milk contains multiple, natural redundant systems of bioactive components that can reduce or eliminate populations of pathogenic bacteria," according to the Weston A. Price Foundation in an August updated PowerPoint presentation titled "Raw Milk and Raw Milk Products, Safety, Health, Economic and Legal Issues."

"Claims that raw milk is unsafe are based on 40-year-old science. Milk's anti-microbial properties have been detailed only recently," according to the foundation, "but the destruction of protective properties was recognized as early as 1938 in studies showing that raw milk did not support the growth of a wide range of pathogens."

The higher bacteria content is in milk, the shorter its shelf life, said. Thus, bacteria determine the length of shelf life.

said the raw milk he sells is generally well below the maximum levels allowed by the state.

With the rising cost of milk in supermarkets, raw milk available at Wholesome Dairy Farms is comparatively priced per gallon.

Raw milk from his cows still has lactose in generally the same proportion as commercially produced milk, he said.

Customers who claim to have intolerance to lactose frequently tell they are able to drink raw milk from his cows with no difficulty, while ordinary store-bought milk makes them sick.

He said this peculiar but positive notion is a good thing for the dairy industry.

said that he is happy to speak in science classrooms or to host educational field trips to the farm.

In fact, has given guided tours to several sets of students of varying age groups already this year.

While living in Texas, drank store-bought milk. Once back in Pennsylvania, he tried a glass of raw milk and reminisced about the easily accessible beverage of his childhood.

"It was a flavor explosion in my mouth," said. "This is what milk is supposed to taste like."

's family helps him in tending to the cows and selling the raw milk. Also for purchase is raw milk cheese from a dairy in Telford. said he is experimenting with the cheese-making process and plans to eventually start making cheddar and gouda.

Hours of operation for the milk store are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wholesome Dairy Farms is located at 136 Camp Road off of Route 562 just before Yellow House.

sville Pennsylvania

By Hetrick; News Writer