Keely Family Farms, LLC is responding in court to allegations made against it that rely solely on a Florida Department of Health Press release, which was issued without an investigation at the farm.
In August 2025, Rachel Maddox filed suit against Keeley Family Farms and legally served it at the last possible moment allowed. Maddox’s suit is part of an ongoing attack against Keely Family Farms.
What Happened to Keely Family Farms?
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund has written before about how the Florida Department of Health (“DOH”) issued a press release in August of last year without conducting a full investigation or even issuing a formal notice of violation against the farm.
The DOH has provided no information in response to requests seeking proof to support its claims. It didn’t visit the farm, collect or test milk samples from the farm, interview farm owner Keely Exum, or suggest that it was conducting an investigation. In fact, it took no formal action against the farm, such as shutting down production or sales, despite publicly claiming that Keely Family Farm’s milk caused serious illness.
On August 13, 2025, relying solely on this press release from DOH, Rachel Maddox filed a personal injury lawsuit against Keely Family Farms. Her suit alleged illness caused from the Farm’s raw milk produced as animal feed. The complaint specifically references statements made in the DOH release.
Although the lawsuit was filed in August and received press attention at that time, it was not actually served until immediately prior to Christmas 2025 — and only after the court informed the plaintiff that they had 30 days to do so following a court order.
All of this points to the Florida Department of Health attempting to shut down a family farming operation through a negative press campaign rather than taking appropriate regulatory action — if such action were warranted.
How Keely Family Farms Is Fighting Back
On February 9, 2026, Keely Family Farms filed its Motion to Dismiss and in the Alternative, a Motion for Summary Judgment against the Plaintiff Rachel Maddox.
In its motion, Keely Family Farms argues that Maddox’s complaint does not identify facts showing contamination or describe any root-cause investigation of illness. The farm also notes that its labeling complied with Florida Department of Agriculture requirements, including notices that certain milk products were not intended for human consumption.
To see a copy of the Motion and attached affidavits from Keely Exum and microbiologist Peg Coleman, please click here.
Support for This Family Farm
The Department of Health significantly harmed Keely Family Farms without taking any formal action or providing any evidence that the farm’s products caused harm. Accordingly, FTCLDF is confident that Keely Family Farms will prevail.
To support the legal defense of Keely Family Farms, please visit the farm’s GoFundMe page.
