As winter wraps up and spring is underway we’ve been treated to weather from every season in the last month. There is no doubt about it, this past winter and spring have had record high and low temperatures. These shifts in weather have likely damaged many perennial crops throughout the area including fruit trees, berry bushes and Christmas trees. Producers who suspect that their crops were damaged due to the severe weather may be eligible for assistance through two of our disaster programs. Anyone fearing crops damage are encouraged to contact our office immediately.
The Tree Assistance Program – TAP assists producers whose trees, bushes or vines suffer mortality due to natural disasters. The programs assist producers in the cleanup, rehabilitation and/or replacement of eligible trees, bushes or vines which suffer a total mortality rate of 15% or more of natural mortality. Nursery trees, including ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees, grown for commercial use may also be eligible. The final date to submit an application and supporting documentation of the loss is the later of 90 calendar days of the disaster event or the date when the loss apparent.
Producers with Noninsured Crop Assistance Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage may receive assistance when crop losses occur due to eligible causes of loss including:
- damaging weather, such as drought, freeze, hail, excessive moisture, excessive wind or hurricanes,
- adverse natural occurrences, such as earthquake or flood, and
- conditions related to damaging weather or adverse natural occurrences, such as excessive heat, plant disease, or insect infestation.
Producers with NAP coverage who suffer weather-related damage must contact the FSA office to report losses within 72 hours for hand-harvested crops. Any claimed crop losses must be documented in the FSA office on form CCC-576; Notice of Loss, within 15 days of a disaster event or when the damage first becomes apparent. If you’ve missed this reporting deadline, please contact our office immediately (that means right now).
For all other producers, please be on the lookout for a postcard in the mail in the coming weeks. We are in the process of scheduling acreage report appointments. Your appointment will be listed on the back of the postcard. If you finish planting before you get your postcard, please contact the office and we will be happy to take your report sooner. Please also note that if you misplace your postcard, miss your appointment, or do not receive an appointment, you are still required to report your crops to the FSA by the acreage reporting deadline (May 15 for new spring seedings, July 15 for all other crops).
We look forward to seeing you in the office soon. Hope you have a good spring and a great season.
Donna W. Purdy
County Executive Director