Raw Milk Transparency at Mountain Heritage Farm
Safe Practices · Honest Data · Dexter Cows you can Trust
At Mountain Heritage Farm in Cannon County, Tennessee, raw milk is more than a product — it’s a commitment to safety, transparency, and family trust. We raise and milk Dexter cows, a rare dual-purpose breed known for rich, easily digested milk. Unlike most farms, we openly share our data, from lactation records to milk testing, so you can feel confident in every drop.
Why Our Milk is Different
There are many ways to get milk — but here’s why families choose Mountain Heritage Farm. Our approach combines the safety of modern equipment with the honesty of open data, all from the smallest naturally statured dairy cattle in the world: Dexters.
Naturally Gentle, Naturally Rich - Unlike commercial dairy breeds, Dexter milk is creamy and flavorful, yet surprisingly easy to digest. Families who believed they could only drink A2/A2 milk often find Dexter milk works beautifully for them — including from our A1/A1 cows.
We Show You the Numbers - We don’t just claim quality — we show it. We openly share our herd's test results and even the actual test plates on request. This level of transparency means you don’t have to take our word for it.
Live Lactation Data - We publish the lactation data for all the cows currently being milked daily. At any time, you can see how much each cow is contributing. There is no gatekeeping of any milking data here.
Safety & Testing
Clean milk doesn’t happen by accident — it comes from careful, repeatable steps. At Mountain Heritage Farm I:
- Machine-milk in a closed stainless system with single-use filters.
- Chill immediately — milk is cooled to 36°F within minutes.
- Sanitize milking claw, milk hose, bucket, lid, and gasket daily, deep clean weekly.
- Test regularly — I run Standard Plate Count, E.coli, and Coliform tests, to confirm milk safety and share test results openly. (actual test plates available on request)
- Keep logs — cooling charts and plate photos are available anytime.
Transparency is part of the product. When you pick up a jar here, you’re also welcome to see the data behind it.
Mountain Heritage Farm is proud to be listed with RAWMI (Raw Milk Institute) — a global standard for safe, transparent raw milk.
Behind the Milk
Every jar of milk has a story. These videos pull back the curtain so you can see exactly how I milk, how I quickly cool the milk to keep it fresh and safe, and my daily sanitation process. My family drinks the same milk from the same chilling tank as our herd share members so safety is always front of mind for me. Transparency isn’t an add-on here. It’s built into the way I farm. Full, realtime videos are available on request.
Live Lactation Data
These are the cows I am currently milking. I weigh every cow’s milk at every milking. Partway down their pages, you will find a live graph that updates daily. Just click the "View cow & live graph" button to check out each cow. That way, you can see exactly how much milk each cow is producing right now. This section updates automatically as cows freshen or dry off. This means you’ll always know the names and faces of the cows who provided your milk that day 🥛😊
Raw Milk FAQ
How often do you test your milk?
What equipment and sanitation do you use?
Where can I see each cow’s current production?
Can my family really digest Dexter milk better?
My Raw Milk Promise...
I started this milking dream with one simple goal: to give my children safe, real milk. That dream didn’t come to pass in their childhood, but the work I’ve done here sets the stage for my grandchildren — and for your family — to have the kind of milk I always wanted for mine.
When families choose to buy raw milk from Mountain Heritage Farm, it isn’t just a transaction. They become part of a circle of trust. I hide nothing. The same milk on my own table is what I offer you, backed by daily records, open testing, and a process you can watch start to finish.
Very few Dexter breeders actively milk their own herds.
I do — twice a day, every day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather. I weigh every cow’s milk, every milking, and keep that data public. This hands-on care is the difference between promises and proof, and it’s what makes my herd and my milk truly transparent.
You can count on me,
~Michelle
