The Truth About Raw Dairy

Welcome to another edition of the Doctor’s Note where we talk about what’s on our minds when it comes to your health.

This week I had the pleasure of recording on location at Brookhaven Farms with Jake Hubbard in celebration of National Dairy Month. Being on the farm reminded me why the source and quality of our food matters so much. Surrounded by their herd of A2/A2 grass-fed cows, I was struck by the care, intention, and community behind every glass of fresh milk. Jake’s commitment to humane practices, transparency, and real, unprocessed food shone through in every conversation. As someone who’s struggled with lactose intolerance for most of my life, I’ve found that I can happily—and comfortably—enjoy their raw milk. It’s become a staple for me, and I’ve even seen my gut health benefit from it. 

Our discussion covered everything from what makes A2/A2 raw milk special, to the history and misconceptions about pasteurization, Brookhaven’s obsession with quality and safety, and the challenges faced by small, honest farms in today’s food system. I left Brookhaven inspired—not only by the taste of their products (the maple yogurt is addictive!), but by their integrity and vision for truly nourishing people. 

PODCAST NOTES 

• Raw A2/A2 milk is a different experience for lactose intolerant people. Brookhaven’s cows are specifically bred for the A2/A2 beta-casein protein, which avoids the A1 protein linked to digestive discomfort in many people. Raw milk from these cows still contains the enzyme lactase, which aids natural digestion of lactose—unlike pasteurized products that often require you to take supplemental enzymes. Many, like me, discover they can enjoy milk again without any of the usual digestive distress.

• Pasteurization reduces milk’s nutritional power. The commercial process of pasteurizing milk—used to increase shelf life—actually destroys vital, heat-sensitive nutrients and live enzymes. This includes vitamins A, D, K2, B12, essential for everything from immunity to bone health, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium. Raw milk, by contrast, remains a true whole food, packed with probiotics for gut and immune health that you often pay extra for in supplement form.

• Brookhaven Farms is built on an ethic of humane, clean farming practices. Brookhaven refuses to cut corners. Their cows are never given pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, steroids, or hormones—environmental toxins that are all too common in industrial agriculture. The cows roam on clean pastures and live with dignity, producing cleaner milk and meat for you and your family.

•  At Brookhaven Farms, intentionality drives everything—even down to the genetics. Intentional, multi-generational A2/A2 genetic selection means they don’t just buy cows at random. Each animal is carefully sourced and bred for its A2/A2 gene profile, with some even handpicked from across state lines. Every generation is tested to ensure the health benefits of their milk remain consistent—setting them apart from so-called A2-enriched or mixed-herd dairies. 

• Premium forage means better animal health and superior flavor. Their cows eat an impressive 100 pounds of hand-selected, high-quality grasses daily: fescue, timothy, orchard, and sorghum Sudan. Jake’s team even plants specific grasses to enrich flavor and nutritional value. Healthy, varied forage supports the cows’ natural immune systems, acts almost like an antibiotic, and directly impacts the rich, sweet taste and nourishing quality of the milk and beef.

• Safety and quality aren’t assumptions—they’re daily commitments. Through rigorous batch testing and a carefully maintained cold chain, Brookhaven takes safety a step further by testing every batch of their raw milk—every single day—before it leaves the farm. They've invested heavily in refrigeration, cooling trailers, and sanitary transport, eliminating the historical risks that once plagued raw milk due to poor handling or inadequate storage.

• At Brookhaven Farms, grass-fed isn’t a marketing term—it’s a deeply rooted practice. No greenwashing here—Brookhaven’s cattle are not only grass-fed but grass-finished, meaning they never see grain. Their diets are carefully rotated and enhanced for optimal nutrition and flavor all the way to harvest. Unlike many meats labeled “grass-fed” but finished on grain, Brookhaven’s beef delivers on both taste and integrity—Jake’s hamburger beef is every bit as succulent as steak.  

• Protecting the future of local food starts with transparency and a commitment to fair, stable pricing. Dairy farming is at risk of extinction, as Jake pointed out. When egg prices surged nationwide, Brookhaven’s stayed steady—a testament to honest business and transparency. Supporting local dairies like theirs preserves not only your own health and access to clean food, but also jobs, responsible land stewardship, and the integrity of our food supply.

Visiting Brookhaven Farms renewed my conviction that making intentional choices about where our food comes from is a powerful step toward taking control of your own health. If you’re even remotely curious about the benefits of unprocessed, local dairy or real grass-finished beef—or you want to see if milk can make you feel better, not worse—National Dairy Month is the time to do it.

Support your health, support your local farmers, and experience the difference for yourself. Visit www.brookhavenfarms.net or stop by one of our offices to bring home something truly nourishing. Here’s to eating real food—and living your healthiest, happiest life!

Stay educated. Stay healthy. 

Till next week.