Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance — disaster protection for crops that federal crop insurance doesn't cover. Vegetables, fruits, honey, mushrooms, herbs, and more.
Time to Apply
15-30 minutes at FSA office
Cost to Apply
$325/crop/county ($0 for beginning and limited resource farmers).
Where to Apply
Your local FSA office
Complexity
Low — sign up at FSA, pay the fee
NAP covers crops that are NOT eligible for federal crop insurance — vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, honey, aquaculture, herbs, floriculture, turf grass, ginseng, maple syrup, and Christmas trees, among others. If crop insurance covers your crop, you need to buy crop insurance instead.
Tip: Not sure if your crop is insurable? Ask FSA — they can tell you instantly
You must sign up BEFORE the crop's application deadline — typically before planting begins. Bring your photo ID, production records for the crop, and acreage information. FSA staff will walk you through form CCC-471.
Tip: NAP deadlines are crop-specific and fall BEFORE planting. Miss the deadline and you can't get coverage for that crop year.
The fee is $325 per crop per county, capped at $825 per county or $1,950 per farmer across all counties. Beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers get the fee WAIVED entirely — plus higher coverage levels. Since 2023, underserved producers are automatically enrolled for basic NAP coverage upon timely certification of their status via form CCC-860.
Tip: If you're a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer, the fee is FREE and your coverage is better. No reason not to sign up.
If you suffer crop losses from drought, flood, freeze, disease, or other natural disaster, file a notice of loss at FSA within 15 days of the loss. Then file your actual application for payment within 60 days after the calendar year ends.
Tip: File the notice of loss immediately — the 15-day window is strict. You can always file the full claim later.
If you grow specialty crops and don't have NAP, you have NO disaster safety net. Federal crop insurance doesn't cover vegetables, herbs, honey, and many other specialty products. NAP is your only option.
Beginning farmers get the fee waived AND higher coverage (65% at catastrophic level instead of 50%). If you qualify, it's literally free disaster protection.
Buy-up coverage is available for higher protection (up to 65% at 100% of market value). The premium is still subsidized. Ask FSA about buy-up options.
Keep detailed production records — you'll need them to prove your losses. Track planting dates, expected yields, and actual production.
Missing the application deadline — NAP deadlines are BEFORE planting, and they're crop-specific. Ask FSA for your crop's deadline well in advance.
Not filing the notice of loss within 15 days — this is a hard deadline. File immediately, even if you're not sure of the full extent of damage.
Not knowing your crop isn't insurable — some farmers don't realize their specialty crops can't get federal crop insurance. Check with FSA or RMA.
Not claiming beginning farmer status — the fee waiver and enhanced coverage are substantial benefits. Self-certification is sufficient.
Signup: before planting. Coverage period: the crop year. Payment: after loss verification (varies).
Never miss an NAP deadline. Free daily USDA data. Unsubscribe anytime.