Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act

This bill amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to enhance the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) , aiming to provide more comprehensive support to orchardists and nursery tree growers. It expands the definition of eligible trees to include biennial crops and adds pest damage as a covered cause of loss, alongside existing provisions for natural disasters. Key changes to eligibility include allowing assistance for growers whose trees no longer produce an economically viable crop , irrespective of their production history. This flexibility extends to replanting, where growers may use assistance for alternative varieties of trees , alternative stand densities , or even alternative locations . However, the assistance amount for these alternatives cannot exceed what would have been provided for replanting the original trees, ensuring cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the legislation grants the Secretary of Agriculture discretion to modify or waive acreage limitations for assistance. It establishes a timing requirement for recipients to carry out funded activities, generally within two years, with an allowance for extensions if necessary for tree survival. Finally, the bill mandates that the Secretary must approve or deny applications and notify applicants within 120 days of submission.