; (3) may serve a certain product niche, such as artisanal cheese, or serve dairy businesses with dairy products derived from a specific type of dairy animal; and (4) shall serve dairy businesses in other regions. (d) Entities eligible To host initiative (1) In general Any of the following entities may submit to the Secretary an application to host an initiative: (A) A State department of agriculture or other State entity. (B) A nonprofit entity with capacity to provide consultation, expertise, and grant distribution and tracking. (C) An institution of higher education. (D) A cooperative extension service. (2) Partners An entity described in paragraph (1) may establish partners prior to the submission of the application under that paragraph, or add partners on consultation with the Secretary, which may include— (A) a generic program to promote and provide research and information for dairy and dairy products (commonly known as a dairy checkoff program ); (B) a foundation; and (C) any other entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of that paragraph. (e) Activities of initiatives (1) Direct assistance to dairy businesses An initiative shall provide assistance to dairy businesses in accordance with the following: (A) Provision of direct assistance Assistance may be provided directly to dairy businesses in a private consultation or through widely available distribution, and may be provided— (i) directly by the entity that hosts the initiative under subsection (d)(1); (ii) through contracting with industry experts; (iii) through the provision of technical assistance, such as informational websites, webinars, conferences, trainings, plant tours, and field days; and (iv) through research institutions, including cooperative extension services. (B) Types of assistance Eligible forms of assistance include— (i) business consulting, including business plan development for processed dairy products; (ii) accounting and financial literacy training; (iii) market evaluation; (iv) strategic planning assistance