Tree Assistance Program TAP 2014 Farm Bill NAP

Tree Assistance Program TAP 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 1

Tree Assistance Program (TAP) • Provides payments to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers who replant and rehabilitate eligible trees, vines, bushes and who produce nursery, ornamental, fruit, but or Christmas trees for commercial production. • Eligible causes of loss: – Natural Disaster – Plant Disease 2

TAP Mortality Requirement • Loss in excess of 20% • Mortality – Dead above and below ground – No longer commercially viable – Determined by trained FSA loss adjuster 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 3

Applying for TAP – Natural Disaster • Must provide supporting documentation and apply by filing CCC-899 in County Office within 90 calendar days after the disaster event or date when loss is apparent to producer • Must certify and provide proof losses were direct result of eligible natural disaster – Dated pictures, news articles, plant pathology results 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 4

Plant Disease Loss Period • The loss period begins when a producer first recognizes the disease in the stand ends when an infected tree becomes either biologically dead or no longer commercially viable within the loss period established by State Committee and DAFP. 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 5

Applying for TAP – Plant Disease • Must call County Office to report presence of disease • File CCC-899 application in county office • STC requests cumulative loss period for disease to DAFP • Producers must submit reliable documentation to support confirmed prognosis – Plant pathology reports, entomology lab reports, etc. 6

TAP Process • File Application • Provide reliable documentation • FSA sends a trained loss adjuster for field visit – Qualifying losses – Total trees in stand – # Trees damaged – Total acres in stand damaged acres in stand 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 7

TAP Process (Cont’d) • CCC-899 can be finalized when producer requests to file one cumulative CCC-899 capturing all loss in the approved loss period • Producer must complete all practices within 12 months from the date the CCC 899 was approved by COC • Producer must provide all dated receipts in their name for TAP practices completed – Cancelled checks for labor expenses 8

TAP Process (Cont’d) • Upon completion of practices loss adjuster will make a field visit to verify completion • All approved practices must be completed for payment 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 9

TAP Extension Requests • If a producer cannot complete practices within 12 months, STC can approve an extension of up to 12 months • If producer still cannot complete practices with extension, STC can send a request to DAFP for an additional extension 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 10

TAP Eligibility Requirements • Commercial Producer documentation • AGI compliant - $900, 000 adjusted gross income certified on CCC-941 • AD-1026 compliant – Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Certification • CCC-902 – Farm Plan • Foreign Person Provisions • Timely filed acreage report – July 15 of crop year • Environmental Compliance 11

Eligible Citrus Orchard TAP Practices 75% Payment Rate Beginning and Veteran Farmers • 01 – Fruit and Nut Tree Replacement – Maximum $8/tree – 65% expenses • 02 – Fruit and Nut Tree Rehabilitation – Maximum $15/tree – 50% expenses • 10 – Planting Costs – Maximum $2/tree – 65% expenses • 11 – Pruning Costs – Maximum $7/tree – 50% expenses • Site Preparation – Maximum $500/acre – 50% expenses • Producers not eligible to receive both pruning and rehabilitation costs 12

Eligible Citrus Nursery TAP Practices 75% Payment Rate Beginning and Veteran Farmers • Nursery Tree Replacement – Maximum $5/tree – 65% Expenses • Planting Cost – Maximum $2/tree – 65% Expenses • Nursery Tree Rehabilitation – $3/tree – 50% Expenses 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 13

TAP Payment Limitations & Eligibility • No Payment Limitation 14

Questions 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 15

FSA Contact Information • Jamie Rodriguez, County Executive Director jamie. rodriguez@usda. gov • St. John-St. Charles, Orleans Group FSA – Open on Wednesdays or by appointment – 151 East 3 rd St. Edgard, LA 70049 – 985 -447 -3311 • Lafourche-Assumption-Terrebonne FSA – 143 Laura Dr. Thibodaux, LA 70301 – 985 -446 -6226 2014 Farm Bill NAP Training 16