We are very enthusiastic about raw (cows') milk. We switched our family to it about 3 years ago. Our younger son had begun exhibiting some signs of asthma and we were concerned about his future health. My husband did a little research and suggested we try raw milk, since there were some indications that it might help. His problems cleared up within weeks of the change. I really love the stuff - sweet, fresh flavor, excellent cream for my coffee, and no growth hormones.
We found another really nice benefit to the raw milk. I started developing arthritis about 20 years ago in my back, feet and hands. I had eliminated most of the problems by taking glucosamine starting 7-8 years ago. The remaining arthritis pain disappeared shortly after switching to raw milk. I was quite amazed and delighted. Anti-arthritis benefits are in the literature, but it seemed too good to believe until I experienced it myself. My mother has pretty significant problems with arthritis, so I feel like I'm dodging a bullet.
Pennsylvania doesn't make it easy to sell raw milk to the public, but we found a dairy about 45 minutes away from our home. The dairy is permitted to sell to a nearby natural food store. Folks come from quite a distance to buy the raw milk from this dairy, including across state lines from New Jersey and New York.
We worried initially about how well raw milk would keep in the fridge. We've learned that the raw milk from this dairy keeps longer than the store-bought homogenized stuff. We routinely drink it a few days after the sell-by date on the jug with no adverse impact on flavor or health. It also sours gradually, lending itself to cooking use (pancakes . . . yum!) better than conventional milk which has soured. The milk from our local shops sours suddenly and revoltingly. We can't keep a cow in our township, but this is almost as good!
Raw milk is indeed a blessing :-)