On-farm legal with herd-share allowed in Iowa. A 2023 law allows on-farm and direct-delivery sales. Producers limited to 10 lactating animals; testing and labeling required. Herd shares are also permitted.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-08. Source: Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. Verify with the Iowa Department of Agriculture before buying or selling.
Tier
On-farm only
Retail legal
No
On-farm legal
Yes
Herd share legal
Yes
Pet food allowed
No specific carve-out
What Iowa actually allows
A 2023 law allows on-farm and direct-delivery sales. Producers limited to 10 lactating animals; testing and labeling required. Herd shares are also permitted.
Legal channels for Iowa raw milk buyers: on-farm pickup, herd shares or cow shares.
Find a working dairy in Iowa
Live directory, filtered to raw milk in your area.
Retail in stores is not allowed in Iowa, so the legal path is to buy directly from the farm. Use the live directory to find a working dairy near you, then drive to the farm or arrange any delivery the farmer offers within their permitted zone.
On-farm legal with herd-share allowed in Iowa. A 2023 law allows on-farm and direct-delivery sales. Producers limited to 10 lactating animals; testing and labeling required. Herd shares are also permitted.
Where can I buy raw milk in Iowa?
In Iowa the legal channels are: on-farm pickup, herd shares or cow shares. Use the farm-to-door directory filtered to Iowa to find working dairies near you.
Are herd shares legal in Iowa?
Yes. Herd shares are recognized in Iowa. The buyer purchases an ownership interest in the herd, then pays a monthly boarding fee for the milk they receive.
Can I bring raw milk into Iowa from another state?
Federal law prohibits selling raw milk across state lines for human consumption, but does not prohibit possession or personal consumption. You may legally bring raw milk you bought in a legal state into Iowa for your own use. You may not legally resell it.