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The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is offering free group consultations with an AURI food scientist.

To kick off each session, an AURI food scientist will present a few minutes of educational content (based on questions submitted during registration or other available content), and then answer questions in an open Q&A format. Guest experts may be available upon request.

These sessions are offered virtually twice per month:

• 4-5 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month
• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month

Register for each session you're interested in attending.

Cooperative Development Services is offering a free training series for startup producer co-ops. Although particularly suited for emerging co-ops, the program will also be useful to directors and managers of co-ops that are already operating. The series will focus on the cooperative business model and the formation and governance of early-stage cooperatives. In addition to instructor-led training, participants will have a chance to meet and learn from peer producer co-ops. Co-ops are encouraged send multiple participants.

Register for the training series.

The training sessions will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. Session dates and titles:

• February 19 – Session 1: An Introduction to Cooperatives
• February 26 – Session 2: The Cooperative Development Process
• March 5 – Session 3: Ownership Model Canvas
• March 12 – Session 4: Business Model Canvas
• March 19 – Session 5: Governance Essentials for Startup Co-ops

Yes. Raw milk is more likely to contain harmful bacteria and other pathogens that may cause people who consume the milk to become sick.  Severe illness may occur, especially in young children, older adults, people who have compromised immune systems, and pregnant women. The bacteria naturally occur in cattle and can contaminate milk during the harvesting process, even on the cleanest farms.

Outbreaks have been reported in many states including Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Washington, and Oregon. This has prompted a long list of respected public health organizations to warn consumers against consuming raw milk. That list includes:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Minnesota Department of Health
• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians

If you are interested in consuming raw milk, do your homework on the potential health risks by collecting information from multiple, respected sources of public health information.

No