Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

• Funder: Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• Deadline: Apply within 90 days of disaster event
• Description: The 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.
• Eligibility: Growers must (a) have suffered a qualifying loss in excess of 15% mortality (adjusted for normal mortality) due to an eligible natural disaster, (b) have owned the eligible trees, bushes, and vines when the disaster occurred, and (c) replace eligible trees, bushes and vines within 12 months from the date the TAP application is approved.
• Funding Timeline: Payments will be issued once all approved practices have been completed and the County Committee (COC) has approved the application for payment.
• Website: https://www.usda.gov/guidance-documents/commodities-income-safety-net/fsa/tree-assistance-program-t…

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

• Funder: Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• Deadline: Check with FSA
• Description: Provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to restore farmland damaged by natural disasters. Submit a request for assistance to your local FSA office. FSA will recommend the conservation practices to seek financial assistance for, ECP can cover up to 75% of costs for eligible conservation practices. Practices include debris removal, fencing, grading & shaping and conservation structures.
• Eligibility: Eligible applicants include farmers and ranchers who have suffered damage to their farmland due to natural disasters. The damage must significantly impair the land’s agricultural productivity or pose a threat to land or water resources.
• Website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/disaster-recovery/emergency-conservation-program-ecp

Emergency Farm Loans

• Funder: Farm Service Agency (FSA)
• Deadline: Check with FSA
• Description: Provides Emergency and Operating loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters or livestock quarantine. Can pay for farm operating and family living expenses.
• Website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/emergency-farm-loans

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

• Funder: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Deadline: Applications accepted year-round
• Description: Low-interest federal loans for small businesses and agricultural enterprises that have suffered substantial economic injury from a declared disaster. 
• Eligibility: Requires primary producer status. EIDL assistance is available only to small businesses when SBA determines they are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.
• Website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/economic-injury-disaster-loans

Want to Learn More?

Check out this recent UW-Madison Extension article: USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Wisconsin Impacted by Winter Storms