1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Local Cheese Promotion and Dairy Support Act of 2018 . 2. Assistance for small cheese producers The Agricultural Adjustment Act ( 7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by adding at the end the following: 24. Assistance for small cheese producers (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible institution The term eligible institution means— (A) a land-grant college or university (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3103 )); (B) a local office of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture or other regional office of the Department of Agriculture; (C) a group of regional experts (as determined by the Secretary) that advises beginning farmers or ranchers (as defined under section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1991(a) )); or (D) a nonprofit organization. (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture. (3) Small cheese producer The term small cheese producer has the meaning given the term by the Secretary. (b) Grant program (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall make competitive grants to, as determined by the Secretary— (A) eligible small cheese producers; and (B) cooperative groups of small cheese producers. (2) Preference In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give preference to small cheese producers that use locally or regionally sourced product to produce cheese. (3) Use of funds The recipient of a grant under this subsection may use grant funds— (A) to purchase equipment or renovate and make repairs to production facilities; (B) to develop a business plan or perform a feasibility study to grow the business of the small cheese producer; (C) to promote and market cheese; (D) to participate in accounting and financial literacy education and training or purchase necessary software