Minnesota direct-to-consumer guide, 2026
Dairy
Milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt: what farms can and cannot sell.
Licensed Facility RequiredWhat is covered and what needs a different path
What’s covered
- Pasteurized milk and products made in an MDA-licensed dairy plant
- Occasional on-farm raw milk sales to a consumer for personal use, in the buyer’s own container
- Buying licensed dairy products and reselling them with a retail food license
Needs a different path
- Selling raw milk at markets, by delivery, or any place off the farm
- Bottling raw milk for sale (MDA says farmers may not)
- Making cheese, yogurt, or butter at home for sale under the cottage law
Three compliance steps
Pick your lane
Selling processed dairy means an MDA dairy license and approved plant. On-farm raw milk is limited to occasional sales to people who come to the farm.
Meet the raw milk limits
Customers bring their own containers. No bottling for sale, no off-farm sale, and no routine or advertised sales.
Watch the proposed changes
Bills filed in the 2025 session (such as HF 79) would allow registered small farms with under 12 animal units to sell raw milk products. MDA pages checked on the verified date show the current law only.
Quick reference
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Raw milk on farm | Occasional sale to consumer for personal use; buyer’s own container | MDA |
| Raw milk off farm | Any off-farm sale violates state law | MDA |
| Processed dairy | Needs MDA dairy licensing and an approved plant | MDA |
| Retail resale | Retail food handler license for stores | MDA |
| Sales tax | Dairy foods are exempt food | MN Revenue |
Frequently asked questions
Can I deliver raw milk to a customer?
No. MDA says any sale that takes place off the farm is a violation of state law.
Is a herd share a loophole?
This guide did not find an MDA-approved herd share rule. Treat it as unverified and get legal advice.
Can I make cheese at home to sell?
No. Dairy is not covered by the cottage law and needs a licensed plant.
Printable checklist
- Decide: licensed plant or on-farm raw milk only
- No off-farm raw milk sales
- Customers use their own containers
- No advertising of regular raw milk sales
- MDA dairy license for processed products
- Watch the legislature for changes
Bill status after the 2026 session was not separately confirmed; rely on the statute and MDA.