The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for 

employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where 

applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income 

is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity 

conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

DAIRY PROGRAM

2020 APPLICATION FOR QUALIFICATION OF 

DAIRY PRODUCT PROMOTION, RESEARCH, OR 

NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Application Contents:

I. Deputy Administrator’s Letter 

II. Attachment A – Form DA-15-CG

III. Attachment B – Additional Instructions for Form DA-15-CG

IV. Attachment C – Useful Links 
USDA 

~ 

Agricultural 1400 Independence Avenue, SW. 

Marketing Room 2968-S, STOP 0225 

...... Service Washington, DC 20250-0225 

December 19, 2019 

TO: State, Regional and Importer Qualified Dairy Product 

Promotion, Research, or Nutrition Education Programs 

SUBJECT: Application for Continued Qualification ofDairy Product Promotion, Research, 

or Nutrition Education Programs as provided by the Dairy Promotion and 

Research Order (7 CFR 1150.101 et seq.) 

Enclosed is an Application Package for Continued Qualification of Dairy Product Promotion, 

Research, or Nutrition Education Programs (Form DA-15-CG) for submission of program 

information and financial data for calendar year 2019. Please complete and return 

Form DA-15-CG (Attachment A) and required enclosures by April 30, 2020 to: 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE-DAIRY PROGRAM 

PROMOTION, RESEARCH & PLANNING DIVISION 

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW 

ROOM 2958, STOP 0233 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250-0233 

Form DA-15-CG is also available for download at http://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/dal5-cg. 

In order for your program to continue its qualified status under the Dairy Promotion and 

Research Order, Qualified Program submissions should include: annual reports, CPA audits, 

financial statements, and other supporting materials when completing the application. 

Qualified Programs must submit certification packages and supporting documents via email to 

john.galbraith@usda.gov or by postal/express mail delivery. 

The Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) Dairy Program will utilize aggregated information 

from the completed Form DA-15-CG submissions. The information provided will be aggregated 

with information from other Qualified Programs and included in the Department of Agriculture's 

"Annual Report to Congress on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Program and the 

National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Program. " Information from individual Qualified 

Programs will be kept confidential to the extent allowable under the Freedom of Information 

Act. 

AMS is responsible for the oversight of all commodity research and promotion programs, and 

emphasizes the importance of administrative expenses for all programs remaining at the 

lowest level necessary for the efficient and effective operation of each program. Also, all 

programs must have internal controls in place to ensure the funds, property, and other assets 

are safeguarded against fraud, waste, and unauthorized use. 
USDA 

~ 

Agricultural 

Marketing 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW. 

Room 2968-S, STOP 0225 

- Service Washington, DC 20250-0225 

Please note Form DA-15-CG continues to account for income and expenditures associated with 

the Unified Marketing Plan (UMP) coordinated through Dairy Management Inc. Only those 

Qualified Programs participating in the UMP need to include the requested information as noted 

on the form and described in the additional instructions. 

If you have any questions regarding the attachments or their completion, please contact 

John Galbraith, Dairy Program, via email: john.galbraith@usda.gov; 

phone: (202) 720-6909; or fax: (202) 720-0285. 

~ 

Sincerely, 

Dana H. Coale 

Deputy Administrator 

Dairy Program 

Enclosures: Form DA-15-CG (Attachment A) 

Additional Instructions for Form DA-15-CG (Attachment B) 

Useful Links (Attachment C) 
Approved OMB No. 0581-0093 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

 DAIRY PROGRAM 

 APPLICATION FOR INITIAL OR CONTINUED QUALIFICATION 

OF DAIRY PRODUCT PROMOTION, RESEARCH,

OR NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM 

(Under Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983)

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control 

number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0093.

The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 3 hours per response, 

including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 

maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, 

employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, 

disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital 

status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is 

derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in 

any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply 

to all programs and/or employment activities.)

USDA, AMS, DAIRY PROGRAM 

PROMOTION, RESEARCH AND PLANNING DIVISION 

STOP 0233, ROOM 2958-S

1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250-0233 

Information is collected in order to determine initial or continued 

qualification of dairy product promotion, research or nutrition education 

programs (7 CFR 1150.153). Application is voluntary but qualification

is necessary to receive a benefit. Information from organizations is held 

confidential in the manner set forth in 7 CFR 1150.173, except for any 

release required under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Dairy Promotion and Research Order (7 CFR 1150.101 et seq.) provides in §1150.153 that any organization that conducts a dairy product 

promotion, research, or nutrition education program may request qualification of its program from the Secretary of Agriculture. Producers or 

importers contributing to a qualified program (QP) may receive credit for contributions to such program pursuant to §1150.152 of the Order. 

To be eligible for initial or continued qualification, the program must:

a. Be engaged in dairy product promotion, research, or nutrition education activities that are intended to increase consumption of milk and

dairy products generally.

b. Except for programs operated under the laws of the United States or any State, and except for importer programs, have been active and

ongoing before November 29, 1983.

c. Be financed primarily by producers, either individually or through cooperative associations, or for importer programs, be financed

primarily by importers.

d. Not use a brand or trade name in its advertising and promotion of dairy products unless approved by the National Dairy Promotion and

Research Board and the Secretary.

e. Certify to the Secretary that any requests from producers or importers for refunds under its programs will be honored by forwarding to the

Board or to the qualified program designated by the producer or importer that portion of the refund equal to the amount of the credit given

to the producer or importer because of his/her participation in the program. The amount of such credit may not exceed 10 cents per

hundredweight for a producer and 2.5 cents per hundredweight or equivalent thereof, for an importer.

f. Not use program funds for the purpose of influencing governmental policy or action.

The following information is to be submitted by each organization requesting initial or continued qualification of its dairy product promotion, 

research, or nutrition education program(s). If additional space is required, provide an additional attachment identified by item number.

1. CURRENT NAME AND ADDRESS OF ORGANIZATION (COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS):

Name: Telephone No.:

Address: Fax Number:

Address: Email Address:

City: State: Zip:

2. DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION CONDUCT OR FUND A DAIRY PRODUCT: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

A. Promotion Program? B. Research Program? C. Nutrition Education Program?

3. IS YOUR ORGANIZATION PRIMARILY FINANCED (50% OR MORE)

DIRECTLY BY PRODUCERS, COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS AND/OR 

IMPORTERS? Yes No

4. ARE CONTRIBUTIONS BY PRODUCERS OR IMPORTERS 

REFUNDABLE TO SUCH PRODUCERS OR IMPORTERS?

Yes No

5. DOES YOUR PROGRAM UTILIZE A BRAND OR TRADE NAME IN ITS ADVERTIZING AND PROMOTION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS?

 Yes No

6. DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION USE PROGRAM FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INFLUENCING GOVERNMENTAL POLICY OR ACTION?

 Yes No

7. IF YOUR PROGRAM OPERATES UNDER STATE LAW, WHAT IS THE MANDATORY ASSESSMENT RATE PER HUNDREDWEIGHT UNDER THAT 

PROGRAM? PLEASE LIST THE AMOUNT OF THE STATE ASSESSMENT OR N/A(NOT APPLICABLE).

CENTS PER HUNDREDWEIGHT 

FORM DA-15-CG (11/19) (Destroy all previous editions) 
8. PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON ANNUAL INCOME AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE CALENDAR

YEAR ENDING: __________________

(REFERENCE THE ACCOMPANYING ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM DA-15-CG.) (YEAR) 

SOURCES OF TOTAL ANNUAL INCOME:

CARRYOVER FROM PREVIOUS YEAR (This should be the same as last year's reported "Total Funds Available for

Future Year Programs.") ................................................................................................................................. $

CURRENT YEAR INCOME (Provide total income for each line item. Seperately, attach a schedule of income and/or your 

accounting system for all sources of current year income. List each separate source and amount of income. DO NOT 

list individual producers or importers. List funds received from and transferred to each QP and for the Unified 

Marketing Plan Equalization Fund separately.)

PRODUCER REMITTANCES ........................................................................................................................................ 

ADD: PAYMENTS RECEIVED FROM OTHER QPS ....................................................................................................... +

ADD: PAYMENTS RECEIVED FROM UNIFIED MARKETING PLAN EQUALIZATION FUND .............................................. +

SUBTRACT: PAYMENTS TRANSFERRED TO OTHER QPS ............................................................................................ (-) 

SUBTRACT: PAYMENTS TRANSFERRED TO UNIFIED MARKETING PLAN EQUALIZATION FUND ................................... (-)

OTHER INCOME SOURCES ......................................................................................................................................... 

TOTAL ADJUSTED ANNUAL INCOME 8.1/ .................................................................................................... $

EXPENDITURES: 

(Provide total expenditures spent directly by your organization for each line item. Seperately, attach a schedule of expenses and/or your accounting 

system reports for each expenditure category, including a project description(s) and related costs. If no funds were spent in a line item, indicate zero.)

 ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SALES (AP&S) EXPENDITURES FOR:

FLUID MILK AP&S .......................................................................................

CHEESE AP&S ..............................................................................................

BUTTER AP&S ..............................................................................................

FROZEN DAIRY PRODUCTS AP&S ................................................................. 

OTHER AND MULTI-PRODUCT AP&S EXPENDITURES .....................................

SUBTOTAL FOR AP&S.............................................................................................. =

NUTRITION EDUCATION EXPENDITURES ................................................................................................................... 

NUTRITION RESEARCH ............................................................................................................................................. 

DAIRY PRODUCT RESEARCH .................................................................................................................................... 

MARKET AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH ....................................................................................................................... 

PUBLIC AND INDUSTRY COMMUNICATIONS .............................................................................................................. 

UNIFIED MARKETING PLAN ..................................................................................................................................... 

ADMINISTRATIVE 8.2/ ................................................................................................................................................ 

OTHER EXPENDITURES ............................................................................................................................................. 

TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENDITURES ................................................................................................................ 

UDIA MEMBERSHIP DUES (Only) ........................................................................................................................... 

TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENDITURES AND UDIA DUES .............................................................................. 

TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE YEAR PROGRAMS 8.3/ ....................................................... $

8.1/ Total Adjusted Annual Income equals the total of all Sources of Income minus Payments Transferred to Other QPs and/or the Unified Marketing Plan Equalization Fund. 

8.2/ Section 1150.151 (a) of the Order states that the administrative expenses incurred by the National Dairy Board shall not exceed 5 percent of the projected revenue of that fiscal 

year. In this regard, we urge you to keep the administrative expenses of your organization to a minimum. 

8.3/ Total Funds Available for Future Year Programs equals Total Annual Expenditures and UDIA dues subtracted from Total Adjusted Annual Income.

9. HAVE YOU PROVIDED YOUR ANNUAL AUDIT? IF NOT, EXPLAIN WHY.

Yes No

10. HAVE YOU PROVIDED YOUR ANNUAL REPORT?

Yes No

11. PROVIDE YOUR AUDITOR’S LETTER OF COMMENTS THAT ADDRESSES THE FIVE CRITERIA (ITEMS A-E) OF THE ACCOMPANYING GUIDANCE 

FOR FORM DA-15-CG.

I hereby certify that the information provided above is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge. If producers or importers are 

eligible to receive a refund of their contributions, I also certify that the producer’s or importer’s refund requests will be handled in accordance 

with the Order. The Secretary of Agriculture may examine our books, records, files, and facilities to verify any of the information submitted and 

may procure other information to verify this organization's eligibility for qualification.

I agree to notify AMS, Dairy Programs of any changes in our organizational structure, including merger or other types of consolidation; changes 

that may affect our program's continued qualification (see items 2 through 6); or if our program is discontinued.

NAME TITLE

SIGNATURE DATE

FORM DA-15-CG (11/19) (Reverse) 
ATTACHMENT B – 2020 ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM DA-15-CG

PURPOSE: The Dairy Promotion and Research Order (Dairy Order) provides that dairy 

producers can receive a credit up to 10 cents, against the 15-cent per hundredweight national 

assessment, and dairy importers can receive up to 2.5 cents against the 7.5 cent per 

hundredweight or equivalent thereof, for contributions to Qualified State, Regional or Importer 

Organizations to conduct dairy product promotion, research, or nutrition education programs 

(Qualified Programs). Qualified Programs must apply for continued qualification on an annual 

basis in order to utilize these funds and for dairy producers and dairy importers to continue to 

receive the credit. The objective of the application process for Qualified Program Certification 

is program integrity and compliance with the Dairy Act, Dairy Order and other applicable 

regulations. 

Allowable Expenditures for Promotion and Research Assessment Funds: The Dairy Order 

defines three categories of acceptable expenditures – promotion, research and nutrition 

education. Section §1150.114 defines Promotion as “actions such as paid advertising, sales 

promotion, and publicity to advance the image and sales of, and demand for, dairy products 

generally.” Section §1150.115 defines Research as “studies testing the effectiveness of market 

development and promotion efforts, studies relating to the nutritional value of milk and dairy 

products, and other related efforts to expand demand for dairy products.” Section §1150.116 

defines Nutrition Education as “those activities intended to broaden the understanding of sound 

nutritional principles, including the role of milk and dairy products in a balanced diet.” 

The Dairy Order’s Section §1150.153(b)(6) provides Qualified Programs “Not use program 

funds for the purpose of influencing governmental policy or action.” 

The Dairy Order’s Section §1150.153(b)(4) states Qualified Programs “Not use a private brand 

or trade name in its advertising and promotion of dairy products unless the Board recommends 

and the Secretary concurs that such preclusion should not apply.” All Qualified Programs 

requests to use and/or expend assessment funds for branded advertising must be submitted to: 

National Dairy Promotion and Research Board 

C/O Dairy Management, Inc.

10255 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 900 

Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5616 

Upon the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board’s approval to use branded advertising, 

quarterly (calendar year) branded advertising reports will be submitted to USDA via email to 

john.galbraith@usda.gov or by postal delivery to the address listed for submission of the annual 

certification packages. 
DA-15-CG INSTRUCTIONS:

Please complete and return Form DA-15-CG (Attachment A) and supporting documents by

April 30, 2020. A fillable Form DA-15-CG is available for download at

http://www.ams.usda.gov/resources/da15-cg.

Qualified Programs may deliver certification packages and supporting documents via email to 

john.galbraith@usda.gov or by postal delivery.

Agricultural Marketing Service – Dairy Program

Promotion, Research & Planning Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 2958, Stop 0233

Washington, D.C. 20250-0233

ITEMS 1-7: Items 1-7 must be completed as noted on the form. For Item 7, if a Qualified 

Program (QP) does not operate under a State law, please respond with Not Applicable or N/A.

ITEMS 8-10: If line items equal zero, use a - 0 - in the appropriate space. Insert numbers for 

all line items.

ITEM 8 – SOURCES OF TOTAL ANNUAL INCOME INCLUDES: 

• Carryover from Previous Year: The amount reported for the line item "CARRYOVER FROM 

PREVIOUS YEAR" should agree with the amount reported as last year's "TOTAL FUNDS 

AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE YEAR PROGRAMS." This line item consists of unused, available 

and/or uncommitted funds as a combined total. If this amount does not match provide a 

written explanation.

• Current Year Income: List separate sources and amounts of income in an attached 

Schedule of Income. A list of individual producers/importers is not requested. Funds 

received directly from cooperative associations, other organizations, or producers/importers 

should be listed separately.

• Add: Payments Received from other QPs. All funds received from other QPs should be 

listed separately in an attached schedule. This schedule should identify the QP and the 

total funds received.

• Add: Payments Received from Unified Marketing Plan Equalization Fund (UMPEF). All 

funds received from the UMPEF should be listed separately in unified marketing plan 

receipts and expenditures reports.
• Less: Payments Transferred to other QPs. All funding transferred to other QPs should be 

listed separately in an attached schedule. This schedule should identify the QP and the 

total funds transferred.

• Add: Payments Transferred to UMPEF. All funding transferred to the UMPEF should be 

listed separately in Unified Marketing Plan (UMP) receipts and expenditures reports.

• Other Income Sources: Examples include total interest earned, sales of supplies and 

materials, refunds from overpaid expenditures, contributions from various organizations, 

gains on sale of property and equipment, and miscellaneous items. These items should be 

listed separately in an attached Schedule of Other Income.

• Total Adjusted Annual Income: This line item equals the total of all Sources of Total 

Annual Income minus Payments Transferred to Other QPs/UMPEF.

ITEM 8 – EXPENDITURES:

For QPs participating in the UMP, all UMP expenditures should be provided in the line entitled 

Unified Marketing Plan. Local expenditures outside the UMP must be provided and listed 

accordingly. Expenditures should also include any purchases of materials from other QPs. A 

separate Schedule of Expenditures by each project and corresponding project description(s) and 

their related costs should be included. This item includes expenditures in the categories of:

• Advertising, Promotion, and Sales (APS): List expenditures with appropriate schedules 

for each subcategory (Fluid Milk, Cheese, Butter, Frozen Dairy Products, Other APS 

Expenditures) on which your organization expended income. Schedules should provide, if 

possible, a breakout of the type of media used. Include a description of each activity and 

examples of locally produced items. Please identify if you utilize advertisements or other 

materials created by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), or other promotion organizations.

• Other APS Expenditures: List other advertising and promotional expenses not categorized 

by individual product categories and includes such things as calcium, nonfat dry milk, 

"Real Seal," holiday, and multi-product advertising and promotion programs.

• Nutrition Education, Nutrition Research, Dairy Product Research, Market and Economic 

Research, Public and Industry Communications, and Administrative: List expenditures 

for each category, along with their appropriate Schedule of Expenditures. Include 

individual project titles and descriptions for research expenditures.

• UMP: QPs participating in the UMP may attach DMI UMP expenditure reports and 

supplemental information.
• Other Expenditures: All other expenditure items not included in the specific expenditure 

category line items should be placed in this category on the form and identified. This 

category consists of capital expenses, purchase of miscellaneous materials, etc.

• Total Annual Expenditures: This line item is the sum of all expenditure categories and 

subcategories.

• United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) dues: List only UDIA membership dues. All 

other monies paid to UDIA over the membership dues should be included in the 

appropriate line item expenditures described above.

• Total Annual Expenditures and UDIA dues: This line item is the sum of “TOTAL ANNUAL 

EXPENDITURES" and "UDIA DUES."

• Total Funds Available for Future Year Programs: This line item is obtained by subtracting 

"TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENDITURES AND UDIA PAYMENTS" from "TOTAL ADJUSTED ANNUAL 

INCOME." This calculation should be done on a calendar year basis.

ITEMS 9, 10 and 11 - Required Copies of Annual Audit, Financial Statements and 

Auditor’s Letter of Comments.

These items are required annually. The audit and annual report may correspond to your 

organization's fiscal year (identify FY) and does not need to be for calendar year. If your 

program does not have an annual report, indicate this in the submitted materials. 

The audit must be prepared according to either the Generally Accepted Audit Standards issued 

by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants OR the Government Auditing 

Standards ("Yellow Book") issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

The auditing firm must address the following five items in a letter to AMS or in their audit 

report:

A. Is the organization engaged in dairy product promotion, research, or nutrition education?

B. Are the organization's activities financed primarily (more than 50 percent) by dairy 

producers, either individually or through cooperative associations; or except for importer 

programs, be financed primarily by importers?

C. Does the organization use a brand name or trade name in its advertising and promotion 

of dairy products?

D. Does the organization use funds for the purpose of influencing governmental policy or 

actions?
E. Does the organization have in place internal controls that provide reasonable assurance

funds, property, and other assets are safeguarded against fraud, waste, and unauthorized 

use?

QPs considered State Governmental Agencies should have their Audit or State Agriculture

Department address the five items in a letter to AMS or in their audit report.

Promotion, Research and Education Material Examples: All advertising, promotion, research 

and education materials must be developed in accordance with the Dairy Act, Dairy Order and 

USDA policies and guidelines including USDA’s MyPlate, the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for 

Americans, the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act, and Federal Trade Commission’s 

policies and regulations. 

If you have any questions regarding the 2020 application package, please contact 

John Galbraith, Dairy Program, via email: john.galbraith@usda.gov; 

phone: (202) 720-6909; or fax: (202) 720-0285; or mail: 

Agricultural Marketing Service – Dairy Program

Promotion, Research & Planning Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 2958, Stop 0233

Washington, D.C. 20250-0233
ATTACHMENT C – USEFUL LINKS

USDA, AMS, Dairy Program:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/dairy-program

USDA, AMS, Research and Promotion Programs:

https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion

USDA, Choose My Plate: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/

USDA, FNS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans: 

https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/dietary-guidelines-americans

USDA, Nutrition.gov: https://www.nutrition.gov/

USDA, National Agriculture Library, Food and Nutrition Information Center: 

https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic

U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Advertising and Marketing: 

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/advertising-and-marketing

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Labeling & Nutrition Guidance Documents & Regulatory 

Information: 

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/Labe

lingNutrition