Symbria and Sara Patterson

It’s difficult enough to pass one raw milk bill in Utah. The mother-daughter team of Symbria and Sara Patterson, founders of the nonprofit Red Acre Center (RAC), have been largely responsible for the passage of six bills into law since 2015. The latest is House Bill 179 (HB179), landmark legislation that significantly expands access to raw milk for Utah residents. Governor Spencer Cox signed the bill on March 26, 2026.

HB179 opens up retail access to raw milk by removing the legal barrier for retailers. It also allows third-party transport (previously, the farmer had to personally get the milk from farm to store) and makes it easier for farmers to sell milk on the farm (no longer requiring a state permit, only notification).

RAC has been a juggernaut in the Utah legislature. Its command and mastery of the legislative process in that state has been outstanding. The Pattersons handle the lobbying and big picture, while legislative analyst Paula Milby takes care of the bill drafting. In representative Kristen Chevrier, the lead sponsor of HB179, RAC has an effective, engaged champion. 
The relationships and influence the Pattersons have built in the state legislature over the past decade have paid off tremendously for Utah producers and consumers of real food.

Unfortunately, with the looming threat of programmable money, the Pattersons’ remarkable food freedom achievements—and the successes of health freedom activists in Utah and elsewhere—are in jeopardy. With programmable money in place, technocrats could reverse every single one of these milestones with the push of a button. We therefore urge all freedom fighters in the food and health space to devote their impressive energies and resources toward educating their legislative allies and followers about the dangers of programmable money and the importance of putting up guardrails to preserve financial transaction freedom—for local and state government as well as individuals. This is an “all hands on deck” moment. Utah is leading the way, having enacted a version (SB 298) of Solari’s model legislation on programmable money, the “Consumer Payment Rights and Transparency Act,” and we hope other states will follow suit. You can also direct your state leaders’ attention to our briefings on programmable money (see links below).