EQIP FY 2024 Ranking Criteria for Rhode Island Organic Agriculture

Applicability

Is the Planned Land Unit (PLU) located in Rhode Island?

1. Yes — Points: 0
2. Otherwise — Points: 0

Category Question

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

1. High Tunnel — Points: 0
2. Crop — 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: 20
   2. Otherwise — Points: 0
2. Does the applicant meet the NRCS definition of a Historically Underserved (HU) producer as identified in the CPA-1200?
   1. YES — Points: 60
   2. NO — Points: 0
3. Did the applicant apply for funding in Fiscal Year 2023 but was previously NOT funded?
   1. YES — Points: 70
   2. NOT APPLICABLE — Points: 0
4. 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
5. 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. HIGH TUNNEL: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories?
   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
2. CROP: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories?
   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
3. PASTURE: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories?
   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
4. FARMSTEAD: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories?
   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
5. ASSOCIATED AGLAND: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories?
   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
6. 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
7. MULTI-LAND USE: Does the schedule of operations include implementation of practices that address at least one of these priority resource categories?
   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
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 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 the 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 — 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 priority watersheds?
    1. Yes — Points: 5
    2. Otherwise — Points: 0