AMA FY 2025 Ranking Criteria for Rhode Island

Applicability

Did the producer apply for AMA funding?

1. YES — Points: 0
2. NO — Points: 0

Category Question

Select the purpose of the application:

1. Irrigation Practices — Points: 0
2. High Tunnel System — Points: 0

Program Questions

1. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. Yes — Points: 20
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
2. If the participant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer Rancher (BFR), how many years have they been farming? Choose only ONE response:
   1. 0-3 — Points: 6
   2. 4-6 — Points: 8
   3. 7-10 — Points:10
   4. 0 — Points: 0
3. Did the participant self certify as a Veteran Farmer Rancher (VFR)?
   1. YES — Points: 10
   2. NO — Points: 0
4. Did the participant self certify as a Limited Resource Farmer Rancher (LFR)?
   1. YES — Points: 10
   2. NO — Points: 0
5. Did the participant self certify as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Rancher (SDFR)?
   1. YES — Points: 10
   2. NO — Points: 0
6. Does the participant have a written irrigation plan that meets NRCS practice standards & management criteria as identified in the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG)?
   1. YES — Points: 45
   2. NO — Points: 0
7. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. Yes — Points: 50
   2. Not applicable — Points: 0
8. If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first AMA contract?
   1. YES — Points: 50
   2. NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
9. Has the participant been in contract violation with a prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES — Points: -25
   2. NO — Points: 0
10. Has the participant had a USDA NRCS Contract terminated within the past 3 years?
    1. YES — Points: -100
    2. NO — Points: 0

Resource Questions

1. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address Degraded Plant Condition?
   1. Yes — Points: 25
   2. Not Applicable — Points: 0
2. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address Source Water Depletion?
   1. Yes — Points: 30
   2. Not Applicable — Points: 0
3. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss?
   1. Yes — Points: 20
   2. Not Applicable — Points: 0
4. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address Weather Resilience?
   1. Yes — Points: 15
   2. Not Applicable — Points: 0
5. Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address Concentrated Erosion?
   1. Yes — Points: 10
   2. Not Applicable — Points: 0
6. Does the Conservation Plan include one or more conservation practices from the Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities List (FY25 Version)? 
   1. 3+ Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 10
   2. 1 or 2 Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 5
   3. Zero (0) Climate Smart practices are planned — Points: 0
7. What is the distance from the Planned Land Unit (PLU) to water bodies including streams, ponds, lakes, estuaries, or all surface waters?
   1. PLU is equal to 100 feet or less from waterbody — Points: 40
   2. PLU is 100-500 feet from waterbody — Points: 30
   3. PLU is 500-1000 feet from a waterbody — Points: 20
   4. There is no waterbody near or in the PLU — Points: 0
8. Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland?
   1. PLU is 100 feet or less from the edge of the wetland — Points: 10
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
9. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Important Soils?
   1. Yes, PLU contains prime or state important soils — Points: 20
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
10. Based on the source water dashboard, is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) located in a "high" / targeted source water watershed?
    1. Yes — Points: 15
    2. Otherwise — Points: 0
11. Is the project in one of the source water priority watersheds?
    1. Yes — Points: 5
    2. Otherwise — Points: 0