Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
If your crop doesn't have federal crop insurance available — and more than you'd think don't — NAP is your safety net. It covers losses from drought, flood, freeze, and other natural disasters at a fraction of the cost of going without.
What NAP Actually Is
Federal crop insurance (the kind sold through private agents) covers about 130 commodities — mostly row crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat, plus a handful of specialty crops. But hundreds of crops can't be insured through that system. If you grow or raise any of them, you're one bad weather event away from an uninsured loss.
NAP fills that gap. It's administered by FSA (not RMA, not NRCS) and provides financial assistance when natural disasters cause production losses for crops that aren't eligible for federal crop insurance.
Crops commonly covered by NAP
Honey, mushrooms, aquaculture (farm-raised fish and shellfish), floriculture, Christmas trees, turfgrass, ginseng, maple sap, herbs, many vegetables and fruits not covered by crop insurance in your county, and forage crops used for grazing that aren't eligible for PRF. This is not exhaustive — check with your FSA office for your specific crop and county.
What It Costs
Basic Coverage (50/55)
Cost: $325 per crop per county, or $825 for all crops in a county. Overall cap of $1,950 for multi-county operations.
What you get: Covers losses greater than 50% of expected production at 55% of the average market price. Your crop has to lose more than half its expected yield before NAP pays, and it pays at just over half the market price. This is catastrophic coverage — it prevents total financial ruin.
Beginning farmers, limited resource producers, and socially disadvantaged producers may have the service fee waived entirely.
Buy-Up Coverage (up to 65/100)
Cost: Subsidized premium plus the service fee. What you get: Coverage levels up to 65% of expected production at up to 100% of the average market price. Payments kick in sooner and pay at a much higher rate. For serious producers, buy-up coverage is almost always worth the premium.
When to Apply — Deadlines Matter
NAP has hard application deadlines that vary by crop. You must apply before the crop is planted or before the coverage period begins.
Spring-planted crops: Typically by March 15 (varies by state)
Fall-planted crops: Typically by August 1 – September 1
Perennial crops (honey, aquaculture, etc.): Typically by December 1 – January 31
Grazing crops: Varies — check with your local FSA
These dates vary by state, county, and crop. Your local FSA office has the exact deadlines. Call and ask specifically for your crop.
Miss the deadline and you're uninsured for the entire crop year. No exceptions.
How to File a Claim
Step 1: File a Notice of Loss within 15 days of the disaster event. This is a hard deadline — don't wait.
Step 2: Provide documentation of your expected and actual production.
Step 3: FSA assesses the loss and determines your payment. You don't need to hire an adjuster.
Payment Limits
$125,000 per person or entity per crop year. AGI limit: $900,000 average over prior three years (unless 75%+ of income is from farming).
NAP vs. Crop Insurance
You don't get to choose. If federal crop insurance is available for your crop in your county, you must use crop insurance. NAP is specifically for crops where no crop insurance policy exists. Some producers grow both types and carry both. Not sure? Your FSA office can tell you instantly, or check the RMA Actuarial Information Browser.
What to Say When You Walk In
“I grow [crop] on [acres] in [county]. I'd like to find out if NAP coverage is available for my operation, and what the deadline is for this crop year. Can you also tell me if I'd qualify for the buy-up option and what the premium would be?”
Bring: your farm number, documentation of your crop and acreage, and your tax ID. Mention if you qualify as a beginning farmer — it may waive the service fee.
NAP + Other Programs
EQIP and CSP: Yes — no conflict. Disaster programs (LFP, LIP, ELAP): Yes — NAP covers crop losses, disaster programs cover livestock losses. Having NAP also makes you eligible for SDRP when open. FSA Loans: Yes — NAP coverage can help your loan application.
Last updated: March 2026. Always verify with your local FSA office.