The Dairy Research and Promotion Program, also known as the Dairy Checkoff Program, is a national producer and importer program for dairy product promotion, research, and nutrition education. To fund the program, U.S. dairy farmers pay a 15-cents- per hundred-weight assessment on their milk and importers pay 7.5 cents per hundred-weight on dairy products imported into the U.S. The program was created and is administered under the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 and the Dairy Promotion and Research Order.
Organizational Structure
The Dairy Board is comprised of 37 members. Thirty-six dairy producer members represent 12 geographic regions within the United States and one member represents dairy importers. Dairy Board members serve 3-year terms, with no member serving more than 2 consecutive terms. Members are selected by the Secretary from nominations submitted by dairy producer organizations, dairy importer organizations, general farm organizations, and Qualified Programs.
Nomination and Membership
The Secretary solicits nominations for the Dairy Board from dairy producers, dairy importers, and other interested parties. Dairy producers and other interested parties may submit nominations for positions on the Board for regions in which they are located.
Nomination Forms
AMS Policy on Board Diversity: AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
Organic Assessment Exemption
R&P programs allow persons that produce, handle, market, process, manufacture, feed or import “organic” and “100 percent organic” products to be exempt from paying assessments regardless of whether they are a “split” operation.
Qualified Programs
Qualified Programs are State, regional, or importer organizations that conduct a dairy product promotion, research, or nutrition education program, authorized by Federal or State law, or that were active programs prior to the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (Dairy Act). The Dairy Promotion and Research Order (Dairy Order) provides that dairy farmers can receive a credit up to 10 cents, against the 15-cent per hundredweight national assessment, and importers can receive up to 2.5 cents per hundredweight, for contributions to Qualified Programs.
Qualified Programs must apply for continued qualification on an annual basis. The application process for Qualified Program Certification ensures program integrity and compliance with the Dairy Act, Dairy Order, and USDA regulations.
View the current list of Certified Qualified Programs (pdf).
Application for Initial or Continued Qualification
Submitted information is confidential. Qualified Program submissions should include annual reports, CPA audits, financial statements, and other supporting materials with their submissions. Programs may email certification packages and supporting documents to john.galbraith@usda.gov.
The Application Package contains the following:
- Letter to Organizations that Conduct Qualified Programs
- Attachment A - Form DA-15 CG
- Attachment B - Additional Instructions for Completion of the DA-15 CG
- Attachment C – Useful Links
Please submit your application and supporting materials to USDA, AMS, Dairy Program by April 30, 2020. Qualified Programs may mail certification packages and other materials to:
USDA, AMS, Dairy Program,
Room 2958-S, Stop 0233,
1400 Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, DC 20250-0233
202.720.6909
Fax: 202.720.0285
Upon review and approval of submitted certification packages, USDA issues an annual approval letter to the certified Qualified Program. Your timely submission of this information is necessary and important. It will be aggregated with other Qualified Program information in Annual Report to Congress.
Contact
Jill Hoover
jill.hoover@usda.gov
202-720-1069
Import Assessment - National Dairy Promotion and Research Program
USDA announced the Dairy Import Assessment effective August 1, 2011. Each importer of dairy products identified within Dairy Promotion and Research Order §1150.152(b)(1), except for as provided for in §1150.157, is responsible for paying an assessment of 7.5 cents per hundredweight of U.S. milk, or the equivalent thereof. The importer shall use the assessment rate of $0.01327 per kilogram (kg) of milk solids to calculate and pay the assessment. Importer reimbursement requests with supporting document including original and adjusted bills of lading should be directed to john.galbraith@usda.gov.