Michigan direct-to-consumer compliance guide, 2026
Dairy
Michigan bans retail raw milk; legal paths are pasteurized and licensed, or a herdshare you own into.
Licensed Facility Required- 0Dairy products under cottage law
- Grade APermit to sell milk for processing
- HerdsharePolicy 1.40 tolerates raw milk only
- PasteurizedRequired for retail sale
YesWhat's covered
- Pasteurized milk and milk products made in a licensed dairy plant
- Grade A dairy farm permit holders selling raw milk for processing
- Food establishment licensees making cheese, yogurt and similar products
- Herdshare raw milk as an owner of the animals, outside MDARD licensing
NoNeeds a different path
- Retail sale of raw milk to the public
- Cheese, yogurt, butter or ice cream under the cottage exemption
- Freeze-dried dairy or ice cream
- Treating butter, cheese or yogurt as part of a herdshare
Three compliance steps
- A
Choose your route
Raw milk can be sold only for processing by a Grade A permit holder. Retail dairy requires pasteurization in a licensed facility. A herdshare is a separate ownership arrangement.
- B
Get permits and inspection
Contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 for a Grade A permit or a food establishment license. An MDARD dairy inspector guides you through plans and inspection.
- C
Keep herdshares clean and distinct
MDARD policy says it does not license the herdshare portion of a farm. Other products from the herd stay under normal rules.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Cottage exemption | Excludes milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and freeze-dried dairy | MDARD |
| Grade A milk | Permit required to produce and sell milk for processing | MDARD (MCL 288.500) |
| Pasteurized retail dairy | Licensed plant or food establishment | MDARD |
| Raw milk retail | Illegal; herdshare agreements are tolerated by MDARD policy 1.40 | MDARD |
| Other herdshare products | Not covered by policy; subject to licensing rules | MDARD |
| Pending legislation | HB 5217 (2025) proposes a farm-to-consumer exemption; verify status | Legislature |
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell raw milk from my farm?
Not directly to the public. A herdshare in which buyers own part of the herd is the arrangement MDARD tolerates.
Does a herdshare cover my cheese?
No. MDARD's policy treats only raw milk as part of a herdshare; other dairy products follow licensing rules.
Has the law changed?
HB 5217 of 2025 would create a direct farm-to-consumer exemption. Check legislature.mi.gov for its current status.
Printable checklist
- Decide: Grade A, licensed plant, or herdshare
- Call MDARD dairy at 800-292-3939
- Complete required Grade A education if applicable
- Plan the facility and water system for review
- Write herdshare agreement terms if applicable
- Keep raw and pasteurized lines separate
- Check HB 5217 status before relying on it