Tennessee raw milk reference

Raw milk laws in Tennessee.

Herd-share only in Tennessee. Herd shares are permitted by statute and value-added products are allowed under the share. Direct sales are limited to pet consumption.

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Last reviewed: 2026-05-08. Source: Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. Verify with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture before buying or selling.
Tier
Herd-share only
Retail legal
No
On-farm legal
No
Herd share legal
Yes
Pet food allowed
Yes (separate licensing)

What Tennessee actually allows

Herd shares are permitted by statute and value-added products are allowed under the share. Direct sales are limited to pet consumption.

Legal channels for Tennessee raw milk buyers: herd shares or cow shares.

Find a working dairy in Tennessee

Live directory, filtered to raw milk in your area.

Find raw milk in Tennessee

How to actually buy raw milk in Tennessee

Retail and direct on-farm sales are not legal in Tennessee, but herd shares are. You purchase an ownership share in the herd from a participating dairy, then pay a monthly boarding fee. The milk you receive is technically your own, not a "sale," and is legal under the state's herd-share rules. Use the live directory to find dairies in Tennessee that offer herd shares.

Other herd-share only states

Frequently asked questions

Is raw milk legal in Tennessee?

Herd-share only in Tennessee. Herd shares are permitted by statute and value-added products are allowed under the share. Direct sales are limited to pet consumption.

Where can I buy raw milk in Tennessee?

In Tennessee the legal channels are: herd shares or cow shares. Use the farm-to-door directory filtered to Tennessee to find working dairies near you.

Are herd shares legal in Tennessee?

Yes. Herd shares are recognized in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee for your own use. You may not legally resell it.