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USDA TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) FOR VINEYARD OWNERS

What it is, how it works, and the steps to apply

If you are dealing with vine loss from red blotch or other qualifying conditions, the USDA Tree Assistance Program can provide meaningful financial support to help you replant. 

This program is valuable, but it is not simple. Success depends on getting the details right from the beginning.

This guide walks you through exactly what to expect and the steps you need to take.

What TAP is

TAP is a USDA cost share reimbursement program.

It helps cover the cost of removing and replacing vines that are no longer commercially viable.

Important to know:

  • This is not an upfront payment program

  • You must be approved before starting work

  • You are reimbursed after the work is completed and documented

Who qualifies

You may qualify if:

  • Your vines are no longer commercially viable

  • The loss exceeds 15 percent of your planting

  • You own or lease the vineyard and have a crop interest

A key point that often causes confusion:

Even if vines are still physically in the ground, if they are no longer economically productive, they are considered “lost” for this program.

What the program may cover

TAP provides cost sharing for:

  • Vine purchase and planting

  • Land preparation

Payments are capped based on USDA rates, so most vineyards will receive the maximum allowed per vine or per acre rather than a percentage of actual costs.

Before you start: two critical decisions

1. Who is applying

The applicant must match ownership of the land and vines.  (Invoices submitted must be in the name of the entity who applies.)

  • If you personally own the vineyard, you apply as an individual  

  • If an entity owns the vineyard, the entity applies

Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or denied.

2. Income eligibility

There is an income test tied to eligibility.

  • If your average income is below $900,000, you qualify

  • If above, you may still qualify if at least 75 percent of your income comes from farming

This requires additional documentation but does not automatically disqualify you.

Step by step: how to apply

Step 1: Register with USDA

You must first be registered with the Farm Service Agency.

This is done using Form AD-2047.

The name you register under must match the applicant exactly.

Step 2: Provide property documentation

FSA needs to establish your vineyard in their system.

You will provide one of the following:

  • Deed

  • Property tax bill

  • Lease if you do not own the land

These documents must include your APN, which is the county’s parcel number used to identify your property.

Once your property is registered, you will complete a crop report describing what is planted, acreage, irrigation status, and planting dates.

Step 3: Provide disease test results

You must prove the vines are impacted.

Requirements:

  • At least 10 positive lab samples

  • Samples must come from the affected vineyard areas

If your vineyard has separate blocks divided by roads or geography, you may need separate test results for each block.

Step 4: Complete the environmental questionnaire

All applicants must complete an environmental review questionnaire.

This helps determine whether additional environmental review is required before approval.

Step 5: Submit your TAP application

This is done using Form CCC-899.

You will report:

  • Number of vines

  • Acres to be replanted

A key detail:

Vines that are no longer commercially viable must be reported as “lost,” even if they are still in the ground.

Step 6: Complete income eligibility forms

You will complete:

  • CCC-941 to certify income eligibility

If your income exceeds the limit:

  • CCC-942 may be required to confirm farming income percentage

Step 7: Wait for approval before doing any work

This is critical.

Do not remove vines or begin replanting until FSA has inspected and approved your application.

Starting too early can disqualify your reimbursement.

Step 8: Complete the work and submit documentation

After approval, you can move forward with removal and replanting.

You will then submit:

  • Invoices for vines

  • Labor costs

  • Land preparation costs

All documentation must match the applicant name exactly.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Applying under the wrong name or entity

  • Starting work before approval

  • Providing incomplete or inconsistent documentation

  • Not having enough disease test samples

  • Misclassifying vines as damaged instead of lost

How we CAN help

This process is not just paperwork. It requires coordination, timing, and alignment across multiple steps.

We can help you:

  • Determine the correct applicant structure

  • Navigate income eligibility requirements

  • Align documentation and reporting

  • Coordinate with FSA

  • Avoid costly mistakes

Bottom line

TAP can provide financial support for vineyard replanting.  But the outcome depends on getting the details right. If you approach this strategically from the beginning, you can maximize the benefit and avoid delays.