For Immediate Release

April 11, 2012

(Bangor, ME), April 11, 2012 - Maine State USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director SED Donovan E. Todd, III, announced that orchardists and nursery tree growers who experienced losses from natural disasters that occurred from January 1, 2008, through September 30, 2011, could still be eligible for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP).

"Producers who experienced a loss from a natural disaster that occurred before September 30, 2011, must report the loss within 90 calendar days of when the loss was first apparent," said SED Todd. "The applicant must provide evidence to FSA of when the loss is first apparent. The local county committee will determine if the evidence supports that the loss occurred from an eligible disaster and was reported timely," he said.

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.

If the TAP application is approved, the eligible trees, bushes and vines must be replaced within 12 months from the date the application is approved.

For more information about TAP, please contact the Maine State FSA office at 207-990-9140 or visit the web at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/me.