EQIP FY 2024 Ranking Criteria for Rhode Island's Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers

Applicability

Did the applicant self-certify as a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher on the NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application?

1. YES — Points: 0
2. NO — Points: 0

Category Questions 

Please select the land use where the PRACTICE(S) are located in the PLU. (Select only ONE)

1. High Tunnel — Points: 0
2. Cropland — Points: 0
3. Pasture — Points: 0
4. Farmstead — Points: 0
5. Associated Ag Land — Points: 0
6. Forest — Points: 0
7. Multiple Land Uses — Points: 0

Program Questions 

1. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. Yes — Points: 30
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
2. Does the applicant meet the NRCS definition of a Veteran Farmer or Rancher?
   1. YES — Points: 20
   2. NO — Points: 0
3. Did the applicant participate in the CRP Transition Incentives Program (TIP), and land included in the CSP application has come out of CRP within the last two years? Note: This is a nationally required question; for RI applications, the answer will be NO.
   1. YES — Points: 5
   2. NO — Points: 0
4. Is the applicant implementing a plan developed for Farm Forest & Open Space Program?
   1. YES — Points: 30
   2. NO — Points: 0
5. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year 2023 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES — Points: 65
   2. NO — Points: 0
6. If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first EQIP contract?
   1. YES — Points: 50
   2. NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
7. Has the participant been in contract violation with a prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES — Points: -100
   2. NO — Points: 0

Resource Questions 

1. CROP: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories? [Important: MUST review the Guidance Drop-down for specific practices.]* 
   1. Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss — Points: 40
   2. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 10
   3. Soil Quality Limitations — Points: 25
   4. Terrestrial Habitat — Points: 5
   5. Source Water Depletion — Points: 20
   6. Not Applicable — Points: 0
2. PASTURE: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories? [Important: MUST review the Guidance Drop-down for specific practices.]*
   1. Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss — Points: 20
   2. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 10
   3. Soil Quality Limitations — Points: 25
   4. Livestock Production Limitation — Points: 40
   5. Terrestrial Habitat — Points: 5
   6. Not Applicable — Points: 0
3. FARMSTEAD: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories? [Important: MUST review the Guidance Drop-down for specific practices.]*
   1. Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss — Points: 25
   2. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 10
   3. Source Water Depletion — Points: 20
   4. Storage and Handling of Pollutants — Points: 40
   5. Air Quality Emissions — Points: 5
   6. Not Applicable — Points: 0
4. ASSOCIATED AG LAND: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories? [Important: MUST review the Guidance Drop-down for specific practices.]*
   1. Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss — Points: 20
   2. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 5
   3. Terrestrial Habitat — Points: 40
   4. Pest Pressure — Points: 25
   5. Source Water Depletion — Points: 10
   6. Not Applicable — Points: 0
5. HIGH TUNNEL: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories? [Important: MUST review the Guidance Drop-down for specific practices.]*
   1. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 5
   2. Degraded Plant Condition — Points: 40
   3. Soil Quality Limitations — Points: 10
   4. Source Water Depletion — Points: 20
   5. Weather Resilience — Points: 25
   6. Not Applicable — Points: 0
6. MULTI-LAND USE: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories? [Important: MUST review the Guidance Drop-down for specific practices.]*
   1. Field Sediment, Nutrient, and Pathogen Loss — Points: 25
   2. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 40
   3. Soil Quality Limitations — Points: 10
   4. Terrestrial Habitat — Points: 5
   5. Source Water Depletion — Points: 20
   6. Not Applicable — Points: 0
7. FOREST: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories? *
   1. Concentrated Erosion — Points: 25
   2. Degraded Plant Condition — Points:40
   3. Pest Pressure — Points: 10
   4. Terrestrial — Points: 20
   5. Fire Management — Points: 5
   6. Not Applicable — Points: 0
8. Does the Conservation Plan include one or more conservation practices from the Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities List (FY24 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
9. 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 100 ft or less from waterbody — Points: 40
   2. PLU is 100-500 ft from waterbody — Points: 30
   3. PLU is 500-1000 ft from a waterbody — Points: 20
   4. Otherwise Points: 0
10. Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) 100 feet or less from the edge of a wetland?
    1. PLU is 100 ft or less from the edge of the wetland — Points: 10
    2. Otherwise — Points: 0
11. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Importance Soils?
    1. Yes - PLU contains prime or state important soils — Points: 20
    2. Otherwise — Points: 0
12. Are the Planned Land Units (PLUs) in a targeted source water watershed?
    1. Yes — Points: 15
    2. Otherwise — Points: 0
13. Is the project in one of the source water protection priority watershed areas?
    1. Yes — Points: 5
    2. Otherwise — Points: 0