Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act, which would reform the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), a critical farm safety net program.
The legislation would expand eligibility for TAP by lowering the mortality threshold and allowing farmers to use TAP funding to replant alternative breeds of trees or bushes. In a June Agriculture committee hearing, Senator Warnock questioned witnesses about the limitations of TAP and reaffirmed his commitment to exploring how small, technical changes would help these programs work more efficiently, improve margins for producers, and help them compete with foreign imports.
“When Georgia specialty crop farmers lose trees or bushes because of a storm or a freeze, it only makes sense they should be able to replant with more resilient breed varieties,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This legislation is good for Georgia’s economy and will help make the agriculture sector more resilient to climate change. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort with my friend and fellow Agriculture committee member, Senator Tillis. I’m going to push to make sure this critical legislation is included in this year’s Farm Bill.”
“This legislation will provide critical assistance to North Carolina’s farmers in the wake of natural disasters, infestations and disease by enhancing coverage, eligibility and financial assistance under the Department of Agriculture’s Tree Assistance Program,” said Senator Tillis. “Agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry, and I am proud to support our hard-working farmers by co-sponsoring this critical legislation.”
The importance of the specialty crop safety net programs were brought into focus this year as the state lost more than 90% of their peach yield. The legislation is endorsed by Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, USApple, Michigan Apple, North American Blueberry Council, Michigan Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau, Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Cherry Marketing Institute and Michigan Agri-Business Association. Section by section summary is available here, and the bill text is available here.