Tree Assistance Program

 

TAP provides financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines lost by natural disasters.

Active 10.111 Farm Service Agency, Department of Agriculture C - Direct Payments For Specified Use; D - Direct Payments With Unrestricted Use Not applicable. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (The Farm Bill), Title I, Part III, Section 1501, Public Law 113-79
the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, Public Law 115-123
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Public Law 115-141
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), Public Law 115-334 To be eligible for benefits, an individual or legal entity must be a citizen of the United States (U.S.); Resident alien; Partnership of citizens of the U.S; or Corporation, limited liability corporation, or other farm organizational structure organized under State law. An eligible orchardist is a person or legal entity that produces annual crops from trees, bushes, or vines for commercial purposes. An eligible nursery tree grower is a person or legal entity that produces nursery, ornamental, fruit, nut, or Christmas trees for commercial sale. To qualify for TAP, the eligible orchardist or nursery tree grower must have planted, continuously owned, and suffered eligible losses of trees, bushes, or vines that were planted for commercial purposes; and replaced eligible trees, bushes, and vines within 12 months from the date the application is approved. Eligible losses must be the result of a natural disaster. The stand must have sustained a mortality loss in excess of 15 percent after adjustment for normal mortality, or where applicable, damage in excess of 15 percent, adjusted for normal mortality and normal damage, that occurred in the calendar year (or loss period in the case of plant disease) for which benefits are being requested. The loss could not have been prevented through reasonable and available measures; the damage or loss must be visible and obvious to the FSA representative; and FSA may require information from a qualified expert to determine the extent of loss in the case of plant disease or insect infestation. An eligible natural disaster means plant disease, insect infestation, drought, fire, freeze, flood, earthquake, lightning, or other natural occurrence of such magnitude or severity so as to be considered disastrous. The eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers receive the TAP benefit. The eligible applicant must present a written estimate of the number of trees, bushes, or vines lost or damaged that is certified by the producer or qualified expert, including the number of acres on which the loss occurred. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. To apply for TAP an orchardist or nursery tree grower must submit a completed application provided by FSA; an acreage report for the farming operation; a written estimate of the number of trees, bushes, or vines lost or damaged; sufficient evidence of the loss; and a farm operating plan. Payments to eligible orchardist or nursery tree growers who suffered losses in excess of 15 percent mortality will be calculated using the lesser of 65 percent of the actual cost of the practice or the amount calculated using rates established by the Deputy Administrator for the practice. For the cost of pruning, removal, and other costs incurred for salvaging damaged trees, bushes, or vines, or in the case of mortality, to prepare the land to replant trees, bushes, or vines, the lesser of 50 percent of the actual cost of the practice, or the amount calculated using rates established by the Deputy Administrator for the practice. Beginning farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers will receive 75 percent of the cost of pruning, removal, and other costs incurred for salvaging the existing plants, or in the case of plant mortality, to prepare land for replanting. Applicants must submit an application and supporting documentation to FSA within 90 calendar days of the disaster event or the date when the loss is apparent. Not applicable. Appeal regulations are set forth in parts 11 and 780 of 7CFR apply to determinations made under TAP. Not applicable. Not applicable. TAP is a permanent disaster program. Eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers will be compensated for eligible tree, bush, and vine losses that occurred in the calendar year (or loss period in the case of plant disease) for which benefits are requested and as a direct result of a natural disaster. Not applicable. Not applicable. Applicants receiving assistance for TAP shall maintain and retain financial books and records which will permit verification of all transactions for at least three years, following the end of the calendar year in which assistance was provided and allow authorized representatives of the USDA and the Government Accountability Office to inspect all financial books, records, and all applicable livestock and acreage. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. There are no restrictions placed on the time permitted to spend the money awarded. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. None/Not specified. Kay Niner, Program Specialist
1400 Independence Ave SW, Stop 0517
Washington, DC 20250 USA
Kay.Niner@usda.gov
Phone: 202-205-9354 http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/tree-assistance-program/index 12-4336-0-3-999 (Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 22$11,173,869.00; FY 23 est $11,390,000.00; FY 24 est $17,623,000.00; FY 21$9,452,000.00; FY 20$54,254,000.00; FY 19$15,435,000.00; FY 18$11,267,000.00; FY 17$6,912,000.00; FY 16$30,000,000.00; - Not applicable/available. Program is announced through press releases, news media, and newsletters. Not applicable.