Processing Plant Requirements – an Overview

Rembrant painting of Moses holding the CommandmentsBelow is a link to a PDF document outlining the basics for setting up a creamery and then getting your Maine Dairy Processors license to allow you to sell your products. It was put together by the Maine Micro-Dairy Cooperative which, sadly, is no longer an on-going operation

In addition to the basic regulations, it’s also important to be on top of all the sanitation needs for a dairy processor, something that the Guild and/or the University of Maine Cooperative Extension can help you with. Join the Guild, attend our meetings, and together we can make great cheese together!

From the introduction:

The purpose of this document is to provide a basic overview of the requirements and standards that must be met for the production and sale of milk and dairy products in the state of Maine. It is not intended to replace nor supersede the official Department of Agriculture publication (Chapter 329: Rules Governing Maine Milk and Milk Products) from which it is derived, nor should it seem to take precedence over the judgment and advice of the State Dairy Inspectors who oversee the regulatory compliance of each producer and processor. It should be used as a guide only, in combination with on-site consultation and Department of Agriculture recommendations.

MMDC Summary of Dairy Processing Regs as of May 8, 2007

Meeting — Ag Trade Show

Maine's 2011 Dairy Princesses at the Ag Trade Show Commissioner's Luncheon

Maine's 2011 Dairy Princesses at the Ag Trade Show Commissioner's Luncheon

Our January meeting took place on the first day of the Maine Agricultural Trade Show, first thing in the morning. The Guild discussed upcoming workshops (stay tuned for announcements right here about April and/or May workshop dates), organizing around the 2011 ACS Conference in Montreal, reducing red tape as a priority of State Government with the new executive and legislative branches, and novel ways to partner with retailers. Hal Prince and Cathie Cotton were there from the Dept. of Quality Assurance, and they filled us in on the changes that have been going on in their departments, as well as what may not be changing.