DES MOINES — USDA Iowa Farm Service Agency Executive Director John Whitaker announced that orchardists and nursery tree growers who experienced losses from natural disasters that occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011, can now sign up for the Tree Assistance Program. TAP was authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 as a permanent disaster program.
“President Obama and Secretary Vilsack made it a priority to begin enrollment for these programs as quickly as possible upon the enactment of the 2014 Farm Bill,” said Whitaker.
Eligible tree types include trees, bushes or vines that produce an annual crop for commercial purposes. Nursery trees include ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees that are produced for commercial sale. Trees used for pulp or timber are ineligible.
To qualify for TAP, orchardists must suffer a qualifying tree, bush or vine loss in excess of 15 percent mortality from an eligible natural disaster. The eligible trees, bushes or vines must have been owned when the natural disaster occurred; however, eligible growers are not required to own the land on which the eligible trees, bushes and vines were planted.
For more information, producers are encouraged to review the 2014 Farm Bill Fact Sheet, and the TAP fact sheet online or contact a local FSA county office or USDA Service Center.