Federal Register #2026-15525

USDA Program for Voluntary Clingstone Peach Tree Removal in California

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), in partnership with the California Canning Peach Association (CCPA), is launching a voluntary program to address oversupply in the California clingstone peach industry. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) - Specialty Crops Program - Program Overview: - Voluntary Clingstone Peach Diversion Program for California growers - Payments provided to growers for removing bearing clingstone peach trees - Target removal: at least 3,000 acres of bearing trees (approx. 22% of current production acreage) - Funding and Payments: - $9 million in federal funds (AMS) - $1.5 million from CCPA, plus an additional $25 per verifiable ton removed - Growers receive $150 per ton of 2025 production, with per-acre minimum ($1,286) and maximum ($3,429) limits - Eligibility and Requirements: - Growers must have verifiable commercial production under a processor contract for the 2025 crop year - Excludes orchards that are abandoned, previously removed, or slated for commercial development - Prohibition on replanting clingstone peach trees on the same acreage for 10 years after removal - Verification of production and tree removal required - Applicants must provide Tax Identification Number or Social Security Number and SAM Unique Entity Identifier - No specific OEMs or commercial product vendors are involved; the program is focused on agricultural services and direct payments to growers

Description

This rule amends the regulatory requirements for the Clingstone Peach Diversion Program, a voluntary program involving payments for peach tree removal to reduce peach production capacity. The program aims to align supply with demand and mitigate the effects of oversupply in the California clingstone peach industry. Eligible growers must have had verifiable commercial production under a processor contract during the 2025 crop year. The program is jointly administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service and the California Canning Peach Association, with applications starting August 3, 2026, and comments due by September 29, 2026.

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