Ever wonder where your milk really comes from? Dr. Michelle Schack didn't grow up on a farm, but she's become one of dairy farming's most trusted voices. As a UC Davis-trained veterinarian, co-founder of DairyKind, and TikTok educator with over 400,000 followers, Michelle bridges the gap between consumers and the dairy industry.

In this episode, we dive deep into the questions most of us are too afraid to ask: Why are antibiotics in milk such a concern? What does "factory farm" actually mean? How do we know our milk is safe? Michelle shares the truth about modern dairy farming, animal welfare audits, and why technology on farms is often designed to help animals live better lives.

We also explore the concept of "bucket terms"—words like "factory farm" that mean different things to different people—and why clarifying our definitions is essential to solving real problems in our food system.

Key Topics Discussed

Understanding Dairy Safety:

• Why antibiotics aren't in your milk (withdrawal periods explained)
• How milk is tested for safety (tanker testing vs. spot checks)
• The difference between organic and conventional milk safety standards
• Veterinary prescription requirements for antibiotics in dairy

Animal Welfare & Farm Audits:

• How veterinarians assess cow welfare on dairy farms
• The National Dairy Farm Program (covering 99% of milk supply)
• Pre-audit systems and ongoing veterinary oversight
• Why modern dairy cows may live better lives than those 100 years ago

The "Bucket Terms" Problem:

• What "factory farm" means to different people
• Why terminology matters in food system conversations
• How to have productive discussions about agriculture
• The importance of defining terms before debating solutions

Education & Transparency:

• DairyKind: training farm workers in multiple languages
• Why farmers want what's best for animals (regardless of farm size)
• The disconnect in our food system (farmers don't know where food goes, consumers don't know where it comes from)
• Using social media to answer consumer questions

Behind the Scenes:

• What happens during a cow C-section
• How dairy farms use technology to improve animal comfort
• The reality of small farms vs. large farms
• Why buying from "your neighbor with a cow" isn't automatically better

Guest Bio

Dr. Michelle Schack is a California-raised, UC Davis-trained veterinarian specializing in dairy cattle. After growing up in Alameda County without knowing where her food came from, she now helps bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture as "The Dairy Doc" on social media. Michelle is the co-founder of DairyKind, an education company providing training for dairy farm workers in multiple languages. She's passionate about transparency, animal welfare, and helping people make informed food choices.

Connect with Michelle:

• Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @dairydoc
• YouTube: Dairy Doc (coming soon!)
• Website: michelleschack.com
• DairyKind: dairykind.com

What if the same strategies used to prepare a business for sale were exactly what family farms need to thrive for generations?

Matt Stone spent over a decade helping business owners structure their operations for the perfect exit. But he discovered something unexpected: the process designed to help people leave their businesses was actually the blueprint for making them strong enough for the next generation to come home to.

Now, as a regenerative agriculture strategic growth coach, Matt brings proven business principles to farming operations while implementing soil health practices that heal the land with every season.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The Six Principles of Soil Health and how they apply from backyard gardens to 100,000+ acre operations
• Why terminology matters: The real difference between "organic," "regenerative," and "all natural"
• The psychology of farm change: Why older producers need an emotional trigger while younger ones respond to economic pressure
• A success story: How one young farmer implemented regenerative practices "cold turkey" and saw immediate results
• The profitability paradox: Why cutting inputs often leads to higher profits, even selling into commodity markets
• The biggest misconceptions consumers and producers have about regenerative agriculture

Key Takeaways:

"I don't know of one producer who says, 'Yeah, I want to make or grow or raise food that will poison people.' Nobody would do that." - Matt Stone

Matt emphasizes that transparency in agricultural terminology is crucial for building consumer trust, and that regenerative practices are truly scalable - working for anyone from backyard gardeners to large commercial operations.

About Our Guest:

Matt Stone is a regenerative agriculture strategic growth coach and founder of Dakota Growth. He operates a small sheep ranch where the primary product is soil health, with meat and wool as byproducts. Matt helps producers transition to regenerative practices while taking a holistic approach that considers both business operations and family dynamics.

Connect with Matt Stone:

• Email: matt@dakotagrowth.biz
• LinkedIn: [Matt Stone - Dakota Growth]
• Website: Dakota Growth
• Healthy Soil Challenge: Sign Up Here

Free Resource:

Matt offers a no-charge "Healthy Soil, Healthy Business" challenge that helps farmers develop goals and create actionable plans for their operations.

Referenced in This Episode:

• "Dirt to Soil" by Gabe Brown
• "Common Ground" documentary
• "Kiss the Ground" documentary

Next Episode Preview: Join us as we sit down with [Next Guest Name] to explore [brief preview of next topic].

Support The Foggy Farmer:

If you found value in this episode, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more people working to build a more resilient and connected food system.

Remember to keep it local, keep it fresh, keep it foggy.

Join Amy Bono and Ranger Kielak as they explore the vision and mission of Elkis Ranch. Discover how the ranch is transforming community engagement, education, and sustainable agriculture practices.

Vision for Elkus Ranch: Amy Bono shares her 10-year vision for the ranch, focusing on streamlined communication and efficient systems.

Community Connection: Learn about the ranch's efforts to connect with the community through volunteer days and educational programs.

Sustainable Practices: Explore the innovative agricultural practices at Elkis Ranch, including fodder systems and composting.

Educational Impact: Discover how Elkis Ranch provides immersive, hands-on learning experiences for children and adults alike. Upcoming

Events: Don't miss the 50th-anniversary celebration and other exciting events at the ranch.

#Sustainability #CommunityEngagement #Agriculture #Education

Visit Elkus Ranch's website to learn more about their programs and events.