HOME / STATES / MISSISSIPPI / MS FARMERS AND GROWERS / TREE FARMERS

Tree Farmers

Timber, orchards and Christmas trees. Each card shows who runs it, the money type and how to apply. Updated Oct. 26, 2026.

On this page: Timber and Forestry | Orchards and Pecans | Christmas Trees

See Finance and Grants for all 49 programs.

Grants: 1
Loans: 3
Cost-share: 7
Payments: 2
Insurance: 2
Tax credits and breaks: 4
Other help (market access, legal, technical help): 3

🌲 Timber and Forestry

For people who grow pine or hardwood for timber. Start with your county forester at the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

Good to know

The Mississippi Reforestation Tax Credit is for timber. Orchards, Christmas trees and ornamentals do not qualify.
Federal reforestation deduction rules are in IRS Publication 225.

How to read the cards

GRANTLOANCOST-SHAREPAYMENTINSURANCETAX CREDITTAX BREAKMARKET ACCESSLEGAL PROTECTIONTECHNICAL HELP

Open nowOpen, sales closing dates applyRolling / any timeAfter a disasterClosedStatus NOT CONFIRMED

Repay? NoRepay? YesGive up ownership? NoSee contract

Open each card’s The strings attached to see ownership, repayment, match, taxes and reporting. Every card links to the official page and shows the date we checked it.

COST-SHARERolling / any time

Forest Resource Development Program (FRDP)

Run by Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC)

Pays for: Tree planting, site prep, prescribed burning, thinning and other forestry practices.
Amount: Up to 75% of cost, up to $10,000 per year.
Who qualifies: Nonindustrial private owners (and some public bodies) with at least 10 acres of manageable forestland. Not on acres already getting federal cost-share.
Deadline or status: First come. Funds run by state fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No. You agree to keep the practice for 10 years.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay at least 25%.
Taxes: Usually counts as income. Some conservation cost-share can be left out of income if it passes IRS tests (IRS Pub. 225, Cost-Sharing Exclusion).
Reporting: You pay first. MFC pays after the work is checked.

How to apply

Call your MFC Area Forester.
Get the practice approved before work starts.
Do the work, pay, turn in receipts.

MFC FRDP Find your forester

Source: MFC FRDP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

TAX CREDITRolling / any time

Mississippi Reforestation Tax Credit

Run by MFC and MS Department of Revenue

Pays for: Pine and hardwood reforestation.
Amount: Up to 50% of approved cost as a state income tax credit.
Who qualifies: Non-industrial private forest owners. Orchards, Christmas trees and ornamentals do not qualify. Forest acres already in a state or federal incentive program are not eligible (ask a tax advisor).
Deadline or status: Claim on your Mississippi return after approved work.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the cost first.
Taxes: This is a tax credit. It lowers the Mississippi income tax you owe.
Reporting: Registered Forester plan. Work verified on form 80-315. Sent to DOR.

How to apply

Get a plan from a Registered Forester.
Do the work. Have it verified on form 80-315.
Claim the credit with the MS Department of Revenue.

MFC Reforestation Tax Credit

Source: MFC Reforestation Tax Credit. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

TAX BREAKRolling / any time

Federal Reforestation Deduction

Run by IRS

Pays for: Costs to plant trees for timber: site prep, seedlings, labor.
Amount: Deduct up to $10,000 per timber property per year ($5,000 if married filing separately; $0 for a trust). Spread the rest over 84 months.
Who qualifies: Owners of qualified timber property.
Deadline or status: On your federal return.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: None.
Taxes: A deduction. It lowers taxable income.
Reporting: Keep a timber account for each property.

How to apply

Keep receipts.
Keep a timber account for each property.
Make the election on your federal return.

IRS Pub. 225

Source: IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

TECHNICAL HELPRolling / any time

Forest Stewardship Plans

Run by Mississippi Forestry Commission

Pays for: A written forest management plan.
Amount: MFC lists forest management plans as a fee service. Ask your Area Forester about cost.
Who qualifies: Private forest owners.
Deadline or status: Ask any time.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: None stated.
Taxes: Not a payment.
Reporting: None stated.

How to apply

Call your MFC Area Forester.
Walk the land together.
Get your plan.

MFC Forest Stewardship

Source: MFC Private Landowner Services. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHAREStatus NOT CONFIRMED

Southern Pine Beetle Thinning Cost-Share

Run by Mississippi Forestry Commission

Pays for: Pre-commercial and first-commercial pine thinning.
Amount: Up to $100 per acre. Max $10,000 (100 acres) per individual landowner (sole proprietor). Max $15,000 (150 acres) for a partnership, LLC, FLP, estate, or trust with two or more members.
Who qualifies: Non-industrial owners with no more than 5,000 acres. At least 20 acres of contiguous pine, 70% loblolly, shortleaf or slash pine. Land in CRP does not qualify. MFC must inspect before you thin.
Deadline or status: Current status NOT CONFIRMED. The page shows older dates.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the rest.
Taxes: Usually counts as income. Some conservation cost-share can be left out of income if it passes IRS tests (IRS Pub. 225, Cost-Sharing Exclusion).
Reporting: Receipts for actual costs.

How to apply

Call MFC to get on the SPB waiting list.
Wait for the MFC inspection. Thinning before it disqualifies the property.
Sign the agreement before thinning.

MFC SPB program

Source: MFC SPB Prevention Program; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHAREAfter a disaster

Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Restore private forest land after a natural disaster.
Amount: Up to 75% cost-share.
Who qualifies: Non-industrial private forest owners.
Deadline or status: Sign-up after a disaster.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay at least 25%.
Taxes: Usually counts as income. Some conservation cost-share can be left out of income if it passes IRS tests (IRS Pub. 225, Cost-Sharing Exclusion) (ask a tax preparer whether EFRP qualifies).
Reporting: Proof of damage and costs.

How to apply

Report damage to FSA.
Apply during the EFRP sign-up.
Do approved work and turn in costs.

EFRP (FSA)

Source: FSA EFRP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

PAYMENTClosed

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Yearly rent to keep sensitive land in grass or trees, plus cost-share to set up cover.
Amount: Yearly rent per contract. Cost-share up to 50%.
Who qualifies: Owners and operators with eligible land.
Deadline or status: FY2026 sign-ups closed (General April 17, Continuous May 1, Grassland May 29, 2026). Next: NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? See contractGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No, but the land is tied up 10 to 15 years.
Repayment: See contract
Match: You pay the rest of the setup cost.
Taxes: Counts as income in most cases. IRS says most government farm payments go on Schedule F (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Keep the cover for the full contract.

How to apply

Ask FSA when the next sign-up opens.
Submit an offer.
If accepted, sign a 10 to 15 year contract.

CRP (FSA)

Refund rule if you break the contract: NOT CONFIRMED.

Farm press says no new CRP enrollment while the farm bill is lapsed: NOT CONFIRMED by USDA.

Source: FSA CRP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHARERolling / any time

EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)

Run by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Pays for: Conservation practices: fencing, water lines, cover crops, high tunnels, forestry and soil work.
Amount: Set per practice. Mississippi proposes up to 90% rates for some practices. Historically underserved producers can get an advance of at least 50%.
Who qualifies: Farmers, ranchers and private forest owners.
Deadline or status: Apply any time. Ranked at Mississippi cut-off dates. Next cut-off: NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the part the practice rate does not cover.
Taxes: Usually counts as income. Some conservation cost-share can be left out of income if it passes IRS tests (IRS Pub. 225, Cost-Sharing Exclusion).
Reporting: Forms AD-1026 and CPA-1200. NRCS checks the work before paying.

How to apply

Visit your USDA Service Center with tax ID, deed or lease, and farm number.
Make a conservation plan. File AD-1026 and CPA-1200.
If funded, sign the contract, do the work, get paid after inspection.

EQIP Mississippi (NRCS)Get started with NRCS

Source: NRCS EQIP Mississippi; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

PAYMENTRolling / any time

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Run by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Pays for: Yearly payments to keep and add conservation on working land.
Amount: 5-year contracts. Most participants can get a $4,000 minimum payment in any year their contract pays less.
Who qualifies: Producers already doing conservation who will do more.
Deadline or status: Apply any time. Ranked at cut-off dates.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: None stated.
Taxes: Counts as income in most cases. IRS says most government farm payments go on Schedule F (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Do contract activities each year.

How to apply

Visit your USDA Service Center.
Apply and get ranked.
Sign a 5-year contract.

CSP (NRCS)

Source: NRCS CSP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHAREAfter a disaster

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Debris removal, fence repair, land leveling, water structures after a disaster.
Amount: Up to 75%. Up to 90% for limited resource producers.
Who qualifies: Farmers whose land was badly damaged by a natural disaster.
Deadline or status: Sign-up opens after a disaster.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay at least 25% (at least 10% for limited resource producers).
Taxes: Usually counts as income. Some conservation cost-share can be left out of income if it passes IRS tests (IRS Pub. 225, Cost-Sharing Exclusion).
Reporting: Proof of damage and costs.

How to apply

Report damage to FSA.
Apply during the sign-up.
Do approved work and turn in costs.

ECP (FSA)

Source: FSA ECP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

TAX BREAKRolling / any time

Mississippi Farm Sales Tax Exemptions

Run by Mississippi Department of Revenue

Pays for: No sales tax on seed, feed, fertilizer, farm chemicals and baby chicks used to grow products for market, on livestock, and on farm products (not ornamental plants) sold by the grower (not from an established place of business). Food products grown, made or processed in Mississippi and sold from MDAC-certified farmers markets are exempt.
Amount: Saves the 7% state sales tax on listed items.
Who qualifies: Farmers buying or selling listed items.
Deadline or status: Always in effect.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: None.
Taxes: This lowers or removes sales tax when you buy or sell. It is not a payment.
Reporting: Keep receipts.

How to apply

Read the DOR exemption list.
Tell the seller the item is for farm use.
Keep records.

MS DOR sales tax exemptions

Source: MS DOR exemptions (Miss. Code 27-65-103). Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

TAX CREDITRolling / any time

Federal Fuel Tax Credit (Form 4136)

Run by IRS

Pays for: Federal fuel tax on fuel used for nontaxable uses, such as on the farm.
Amount: Depends on gallons.
Who qualifies: Farmers who used taxed fuel for nontaxable farm use.
Deadline or status: With your federal return.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: None.
Taxes: See IRS Pub. 225 and Form 4136 instructions.
Reporting: Keep fuel records.

How to apply

Keep fuel receipts and logs.
Fill out Form 4136.
File it with your return.

IRS Form 4136 IRS Pub. 225

Source: IRS Form 4136; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

🥜 Orchards and Pecans

For pecan, peach, blueberry, muscadine and other fruit or nut growers. Pecans count as a specialty crop (tree nut).

Good to know

TAP helps replant orchard trees, bushes and vines after a disaster.
Specialty crop grants go through MDAC, not straight from USDA.

How to read the cards

GRANTLOANCOST-SHAREPAYMENTINSURANCETAX CREDITTAX BREAKMARKET ACCESSLEGAL PROTECTIONTECHNICAL HELP

Open nowOpen, sales closing dates applyRolling / any timeAfter a disasterClosedStatus NOT CONFIRMED

Repay? NoRepay? YesGive up ownership? NoSee contract

Open each card’s The strings attached to see ownership, repayment, match, taxes and reporting. Every card links to the official page and shows the date we checked it.

COST-SHARERolling / any time

Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Replant or fix trees, bushes and vines that grow annual crops (orchards, pecans, nursery) after a disaster.
Amount: Up to 65% of cost. Up to 75% for beginning, limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers. 24 months to finish.
Who qualifies: Orchardists and nursery tree growers who grow for commercial sale.
Deadline or status: Within 90 days of the disaster or when the loss is apparent.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay at least 35% (at least 25% if you qualify for the higher rate).
Taxes: Counts as income in most cases. IRS says most government farm payments go on Schedule F (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Proof of losses and costs.

How to apply

Photograph and date the damage.
Apply at FSA within 90 days.
Do the work within 24 months and turn in costs.

TAP (FSA)

Christmas tree farms under TAP: NOT CONFIRMED. Ask FSA.

Source: FSA TAP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

INSURANCERolling / any time

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Losses on crops with no federal crop insurance.
Amount: Basic: 50% of yield at 55% of price. Buy-up to 65% yield at 100% price. Fee $325 per crop, max $825 per county or $1,950 total.
Who qualifies: Producers of crops without crop insurance.
Deadline or status: Each crop has its own sign-up deadline. Ask FSA.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the fee and any buy-up premium.
Taxes: Crop insurance and crop disaster payments count as income (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Report acreage and production.

How to apply

Ask FSA for your crop's sign-up deadline.
Pay the fee and pick coverage.
Report acres and any loss on time.

NAP (FSA)

Source: FSA NAP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

INSURANCEOpen, sales closing dates apply

Federal Crop Insurance

Run by USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), sold by agents

Pays for: Yield or revenue losses on insured crops.
Amount: Depends on plan. Government pays part of the premium.
Who qualifies: Producers of insurable crops.
Deadline or status: Sales closing date depends on crop and county.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay your share of the premium.
Taxes: Crop insurance and crop disaster payments count as income (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Report acres and production.

How to apply

Find a crop insurance agent.
Pick a plan before the sales closing date.
Report acres and file claims on time.

Find an agent (RMA)

Source: RMA; RMA Beginner's Guide to Crop Insurance; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

GRANTClosed

Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBGP), Mississippi

Run by MDAC with USDA AMS money

Pays for: Projects that help fruits, vegetables, tree nuts (like pecans), dried fruit, nursery and flowers.
Amount: Per project. FY2025: MDAC listed $422,993.37 for 8 projects.
Who qualifies: Groups and individuals apply to MDAC, not USDA. Projects must help the specialty crop industry.
Deadline or status: FY2026 applications were due April 1, 2026, 5 p.m. CST. Next: NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: NOT CONFIRMED.
Taxes: Ask a tax preparer.
Reporting: Grant reports to MDAC.

How to apply

Read the next MDAC request for proposals.
Call Michael Lasseter, (601) 359-1120, MichaelL@mdac.ms.gov.
Submit to MDAC by the deadline.

MDAC SCBGP USDA AMS SCBGP

Source: MDAC SCBGP; USDA AMS SCBGP; MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHAREClosed

Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Part of the cost of getting or renewing a food safety certificate.
Amount: 2025 rates: 75% of eligible costs, with caps ($675 plan upkeep, $2,000 certification, $375 upload fees, up to 5 tests), and 100% of training up to $500. 2026 rates: NOT CONFIRMED.
Who qualifies: Small (sales up to $500,000) and medium ($500,001 to $1,000,000) specialty crop operations.
Deadline or status: 2025 window ended Jan. 31, 2026. 2026 window: NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the part not covered.
Taxes: Counts as income in most cases. IRS says most government farm payments go on Schedule F (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Proof of certificate and paid costs.

How to apply

Keep your certificate and paid receipts.
Watch farmers.gov and your FSA office for any new window. Next window NOT CONFIRMED.
Apply at your USDA Service Center.

FSCSC (farmers.gov, archived page)

The FSA page now goes to an archived farmers.gov page. The 2025 rates are shown. 2026 program and rates: NOT CONFIRMED.

Source: FSCSC (farmers.gov, archived page); IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

LEGAL PROTECTIONRolling / any time

Agritourism Registration

Run by MDAC

Pays for: Liability protection under state law for registered agritourism farms. 103 registered (FY2025). HB 1295 (2025) added protections.
Amount: Not a cash program.
Who qualifies: Farms that host visitors: u-pick, tours, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms.
Deadline or status: Register per MDAC.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: None.
Taxes: Not a payment.
Reporting: Per MDAC.

How to apply

Call MDAC for the registration form.
Meet sign and posting rules.
Renew as required.

MDAC

Sign rules and renewal: NOT CONFIRMED.

Source: MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.

MARKET ACCESSRolling / any time

Genuine MS

Run by MDAC

Pays for: State brand for products grown, raised, crafted or made in Mississippi. 320 members (FY2025).
Amount: Not a cash program.
Who qualifies: Mississippi producers and makers.
Deadline or status: Membership rules and fees NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: NOT CONFIRMED.
Taxes: Not a payment.
Reporting: Per MDAC.

How to apply

Go to GenuineMS.com.
Read member rules.
Apply as MDAC directs.

GenuineMS.com

Source: MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.

LOANRolling / any time

Operating Microloan

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Startup and operating costs for small, beginning and niche farms.
Amount: Up to $50,000. Rate 5.375% (Oct. 1, 2026). 1 to 7 years.
Who qualifies: Beginning, small family and niche farms with good credit history.
Deadline or status: Apply any time at your FSA office.

Repay? YesGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No. You keep your farm.
Repayment: Yes
Match: None stated.
Taxes: A loan is borrowed money you pay back with interest. How the loan and interest affect your taxes: ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED on this page.
Reporting: Simpler paperwork than regular loans. Keep a farm plan.

How to apply

Get a farm number at your USDA Service Center.
Fill out the microloan application with your farm plan.
Turn it in to your local FSA office.

Microloans (FSA)FSA loan rates

Source: FSA Microloans; FSA loan rates. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

LOANRolling / any time

Direct Farm Operating Loan

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Livestock, equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance, family living costs, minor repairs, some debt refinancing.
Amount: Up to $400,000. Rate 5.375% (FSA rates effective Oct. 1, 2026). Usually 1 to 7 years.
Who qualifies: Family farmers with good credit history who can repay and cannot get credit elsewhere at reasonable terms.
Deadline or status: Apply any time at your FSA office.

Repay? YesGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No. You keep your farm. You pledge collateral.
Repayment: Yes
Match: None stated.
Taxes: A loan is borrowed money you pay back with interest. How the loan and interest affect your taxes: ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED on this page.
Reporting: Keep records and a farm business plan. FSA gives loan supervision and credit counseling.

How to apply

Get a farm number at your USDA Service Center.
Fill out the loan application with records and a farm business plan.
Turn it in to your local FSA office.

Farm Operating Loans (FSA)FSA loan rates Find your FSA office

Source: FSA Farm Operating Loans; FSA loan rates. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

LOANRolling / any time

Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Down Payment, Joint)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Buy farmland, build or fix farm buildings, improve land.
Amount: Direct up to $600,000 at 6.250%. Down Payment: you put 5% down, FSA covers up to 45%, rate 2.250%. Joint financing up to 50% at 4.250%. Up to 40 years. (Rates Oct. 1, 2026.)
Who qualifies: Farmers with farm experience or training who can repay and cannot get credit elsewhere.
Deadline or status: Apply any time at your FSA office.

Repay? YesGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No. You own the land. The land secures the loan.
Repayment: Yes
Match: Down Payment program: 5% down.
Taxes: A loan is borrowed money you pay back with interest. How the loan and interest affect your taxes: ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED on this page.
Reporting: Keep records and a farm business plan.

How to apply

Get a farm number at your USDA Service Center.
Gather financial records, the farm you want to buy, and a business plan.
Apply at your local FSA office.

Farm Ownership Loans (FSA)FSA loan rates

Source: FSA Farm Ownership Loans; FSA loan rates. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHARERolling / any time

EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)

Run by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Pays for: Conservation practices: fencing, water lines, cover crops, high tunnels, forestry and soil work.
Amount: Set per practice. Mississippi proposes up to 90% rates for some practices. Historically underserved producers can get an advance of at least 50%.
Who qualifies: Farmers, ranchers and private forest owners.
Deadline or status: Apply any time. Ranked at Mississippi cut-off dates. Next cut-off: NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the part the practice rate does not cover.
Taxes: Usually counts as income. Some conservation cost-share can be left out of income if it passes IRS tests (IRS Pub. 225, Cost-Sharing Exclusion).
Reporting: Forms AD-1026 and CPA-1200. NRCS checks the work before paying.

How to apply

Visit your USDA Service Center with tax ID, deed or lease, and farm number.
Make a conservation plan. File AD-1026 and CPA-1200.
If funded, sign the contract, do the work, get paid after inspection.

EQIP Mississippi (NRCS)Get started with NRCS

Source: NRCS EQIP Mississippi; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

🎄 Christmas Trees

For choose-and-cut and other Christmas tree farms.

Good to know

Christmas tree farms under TAP: NOT CONFIRMED. Ask your FSA office.
The state Reforestation Tax Credit does not cover Christmas trees.
Farms that host visitors may register for agritourism protection.

How to read the cards

GRANTLOANCOST-SHAREPAYMENTINSURANCETAX CREDITTAX BREAKMARKET ACCESSLEGAL PROTECTIONTECHNICAL HELP

Open nowOpen, sales closing dates applyRolling / any timeAfter a disasterClosedStatus NOT CONFIRMED

Repay? NoRepay? YesGive up ownership? NoSee contract

Open each card’s The strings attached to see ownership, repayment, match, taxes and reporting. Every card links to the official page and shows the date we checked it.

LEGAL PROTECTIONRolling / any time

Agritourism Registration

Run by MDAC

Pays for: Liability protection under state law for registered agritourism farms. 103 registered (FY2025). HB 1295 (2025) added protections.
Amount: Not a cash program.
Who qualifies: Farms that host visitors: u-pick, tours, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms.
Deadline or status: Register per MDAC.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: None.
Taxes: Not a payment.
Reporting: Per MDAC.

How to apply

Call MDAC for the registration form.
Meet sign and posting rules.
Renew as required.

MDAC

Sign rules and renewal: NOT CONFIRMED.

Source: MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.

INSURANCERolling / any time

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Losses on crops with no federal crop insurance.
Amount: Basic: 50% of yield at 55% of price. Buy-up to 65% yield at 100% price. Fee $325 per crop, max $825 per county or $1,950 total.
Who qualifies: Producers of crops without crop insurance.
Deadline or status: Each crop has its own sign-up deadline. Ask FSA.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the fee and any buy-up premium.
Taxes: Crop insurance and crop disaster payments count as income (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Report acreage and production.

How to apply

Ask FSA for your crop's sign-up deadline.
Pay the fee and pick coverage.
Report acres and any loss on time.

NAP (FSA)

Source: FSA NAP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHARERolling / any time

Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Replant or fix trees, bushes and vines that grow annual crops (orchards, pecans, nursery) after a disaster.
Amount: Up to 65% of cost. Up to 75% for beginning, limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers. 24 months to finish.
Who qualifies: Orchardists and nursery tree growers who grow for commercial sale.
Deadline or status: Within 90 days of the disaster or when the loss is apparent.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay at least 35% (at least 25% if you qualify for the higher rate).
Taxes: Counts as income in most cases. IRS says most government farm payments go on Schedule F (IRS Pub. 225).
Reporting: Proof of losses and costs.

How to apply

Photograph and date the damage.
Apply at FSA within 90 days.
Do the work within 24 months and turn in costs.

TAP (FSA)

Christmas tree farms under TAP: NOT CONFIRMED. Ask FSA.

Source: FSA TAP; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

LOANRolling / any time

Operating Microloan

Run by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Pays for: Startup and operating costs for small, beginning and niche farms.
Amount: Up to $50,000. Rate 5.375% (Oct. 1, 2026). 1 to 7 years.
Who qualifies: Beginning, small family and niche farms with good credit history.
Deadline or status: Apply any time at your FSA office.

Repay? YesGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No. You keep your farm.
Repayment: Yes
Match: None stated.
Taxes: A loan is borrowed money you pay back with interest. How the loan and interest affect your taxes: ask a tax preparer. NOT CONFIRMED on this page.
Reporting: Simpler paperwork than regular loans. Keep a farm plan.

How to apply

Get a farm number at your USDA Service Center.
Fill out the microloan application with your farm plan.
Turn it in to your local FSA office.

Microloans (FSA)FSA loan rates

Source: FSA Microloans; FSA loan rates. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

MARKET ACCESSRolling / any time

Genuine MS

Run by MDAC

Pays for: State brand for products grown, raised, crafted or made in Mississippi. 320 members (FY2025).
Amount: Not a cash program.
Who qualifies: Mississippi producers and makers.
Deadline or status: Membership rules and fees NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: NOT CONFIRMED.
Taxes: Not a payment.
Reporting: Per MDAC.

How to apply

Go to GenuineMS.com.
Read member rules.
Apply as MDAC directs.

GenuineMS.com

Source: MDAC Annual Report FY2025. Checked Report downloaded Sept. 27, 2026. Read again Oct. 26, 2026.

COST-SHARERolling / any time

EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)

Run by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Pays for: Conservation practices: fencing, water lines, cover crops, high tunnels, forestry and soil work.
Amount: Set per practice. Mississippi proposes up to 90% rates for some practices. Historically underserved producers can get an advance of at least 50%.
Who qualifies: Farmers, ranchers and private forest owners.
Deadline or status: Apply any time. Ranked at Mississippi cut-off dates. Next cut-off: NOT CONFIRMED.

Repay? NoGive up ownership? No

The strings attached

Ownership: No.
Repayment: No
Match: You pay the part the practice rate does not cover.
Taxes: Usually counts as income. Some conservation cost-share can be left out of income if it passes IRS tests (IRS Pub. 225, Cost-Sharing Exclusion).
Reporting: Forms AD-1026 and CPA-1200. NRCS checks the work before paying.

How to apply

Visit your USDA Service Center with tax ID, deed or lease, and farm number.
Make a conservation plan. File AD-1026 and CPA-1200.
If funded, sign the contract, do the work, get paid after inspection.

EQIP Mississippi (NRCS)Get started with NRCS

Source: NRCS EQIP Mississippi; IRS Pub. 225. Checked Oct. 26, 2026.

Nothing on this page is legal, tax or financial advice. Check every deadline and condition with the agency before you rely on it. See our Corrections Policy. Got a fix or a record? Send a tip.

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