Applicability
Will this application be eligible for the National On Farm Energy Initiative (NOFEI) AND the application has at least ONE core practice?
- YES — Points: 0
- NO — Points: 0
Category
Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) located in Rhode Island?
- Yes — Points: 0
- Otherwise — Points: 0
Program Questions
- Does the applicant meet the NRCS definition of a Veteran Farmer or Rancher (VFR)?
- YES — Points: 20
- NO — Points: 0
- Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
- Yes — Points: 30
- Otherwise — Points: 0
- If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first EQIP contract?
- YES — Points: 35
- NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
- Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 but was previously NOT funded?
- YES — Points: 70
- NO — Points: 0
- Select the applicable Historically Underserved (HU) category identified on the NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application: Select MULTIPLE if applicable.
- Applicant self-certified as a Limited Resource Farmer Rancher (LFR) — Points: 15
- Applicant self-certified as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Rancher (SDFR) — Points: 15
- Applicant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer (BFR) — Points: 15
- Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify — Points: 0
- Has the participant been in contract violation with a prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
- YES — Points: -200
- NO — Points: 0
Resource Questions
- Regarding applications containing energy efficiency practices, SELECT ONE answer using the NOFEI Core Practice List. In order to select, you must have planned at least one practice from this list to address a Resource Concern (RC) that falls under the listed RC Category. The RC and practice must be listed in the assessment.
- The application contains two or more core practices — Points: 55
- The application contains at least one core practice and additional supporting practices — Points: 40
- The application contains one core practice — Points: 15
- Not Applicable — Points: 0
- Regarding applications containing water conservation (Source Water Depletion) practices, SELECT ONE answer using the NOFEI Core Practice List. In order to select, you must have planned at least one practice from this list to address a RC that falls under the listed RC Category. The RC and practice must be listed in the assessment.
- Implementing irrigation practices that reduce energy and reduce aquifer overdraft — Points: 20
- Implementing energy practices that recycle or reuse water — Points: 20
- Not Applicable — Points: 0
- SELECT ONE: The proposed application contains projects that will improve air quality by... (Use link in guidance to determine value based on COMET-Farm tool or data from an existing Energy Audit.)
- Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 100,000 pounds or more — Points: 25
- Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 75,000 pounds or more — Points: 20
- Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 50,000 pounds or more — Points: 15
- Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by 25,000 pounds or more — Points: 10
- Implementing energy practices that have been evaluated to reduce on-farm generated carbon dioxide (CO2) by less than 10,000 pounds — Points: 0
- Not applicable — Points: 0
- SELECT ONE: Use the - Energy Cost Efficiency Worksheet (linked in guidance sheet) - to calculate the estimated energy cost efficiency value for the conservation practices in the EQIP plan/schedule of operations.
- The estimated energy cost efficiency is 50 percent or more — Points: 100
- The estimated energy cost efficiency is between 30 and 50 percent — Points: 50
- The estimated energy cost efficiency is less than 30 percent — Points: 25
- Not Applicable — Points: 0
Additional Information
Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Rhode Island
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to Rhode Island agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns in the Ocean State.
Learn MoreHistorically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers (“historically underserved producers”).
Learn More