Raw Milk at Willow-Marsh Now Tests Negative for Listeria
Follow-up Tests Reveal Negative Results
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. – Chuck and Sara Curtiss, co-owners of Willow-Marsh Farm Store, were informed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets that raw milk batched at their family farm between January 29 and February 2, 2025, tested positive for listeria. In response, they dumped hundreds of gallons of their best-selling product and urged their customers to do the same.
A First for the Farm
Chuck, a fifth-generation farmer, has been selling raw milk for 17 years and the contamination was a first for him and his wife. “We do an immediate, kind of a breakdown of the system, the milking and washing to ensure that it’s working correctly, which it is,” he explained. “We’re a little lost as to where this could’ve come from.”
Investigating the Cause
The Curtiss family believes the cause could have been as simple as infected water splashing up off the floor and into the raw milk supply. As the State continued to test the raw milk, Chuck hired Quality Milk Production Services to also test the herd.
No Signs of Listeria in the Herd
“We take a sample from each cow to see if we could pinpoint this and there was none found,” Chuck said. “We didn’t suspect it would be because this is an environmental bacteria.” Of his 60 cows, 20 currently produce milk.
Follow-up Tests Come Back Negative
According to Chuck, Agriculture and Markets’ follow-up tests came back negative for listeria as well. Willow-Marsh Farm began selling raw milk at its store again on February 15.
Clearing the Way for Future Sales
“I stopped and sent my wife a text in big letters, ‘YAHOO!’ She was wondering what that was all about,” Chuck said. “They will sample us a little more intensely for the next three weeks just to make sure.”
Conclusion
The recent contamination of raw milk at Willow-Marsh Farm has come to an end, with follow-up tests revealing negative results for listeria. The farm has resumed selling raw milk at its store, with increased testing measures in place to ensure the safety of its products.
FAQs
* What caused the contamination of raw milk at Willow-Marsh Farm?
The farm is still investigating the cause, but believes it could have been as simple as infected water splashing up off the floor and into the raw milk supply.
* How many cows produce milk at Willow-Marsh Farm?
20 of the farm’s 60 cows currently produce milk.
* When did Willow-Marsh Farm resume selling raw milk?
The farm began selling raw milk again on February 15, 2025.
* How often will the farm be tested for listeria in the future?
The farm will be tested more intensely for the next three weeks to ensure the safety of its products.
