02/23/05 The Tree Assistance Program

It just doesn't happen every day according to Michel Ruud of the U.S.D.A.'s Farm Service Agency office in Chelan and Douglas Counties of Washington. But thanks to appropriations for hurricane disaster relief in Florida, Northwest tree fruit and berry growers, vineyard operators, even timber harvesters in the region, who suffered losses are also eligible to participate in the Tree Assistance Program. RUUD: The T.A.P. is a program that compensates farmers who produce fruit including grapes or berries. And it is a cost share program to help replace trees that were lost due to weather related conditions. Ruud says F.S.A. pays seventy-five cent cost share maximum on the tree itself, preparation of the site, and replanting. Proof is not needed, just certification that loss was associated to a weather condition, to qualify for the program, RUUD: This is a supplemental emergency appropriation so this is not an annual sign-up. It's for losses that occurred December One of 2003 through December Thirty-First of 2004 and sign-up began February Seventh. Sign up is scheduled to end March Eighteenth. Ruud says those interested in the T.A.P. program or sign up can contact their county F.S.A. office, or gain information through the F.S.A. T.A.P. web-site at www.fsa.usda.gov/tap.htm.