IRA-EQIP FY 2025 General, BFR, SDFR Ranking Criteria - Rhode Island

Applicability

Will this application address the IRA resource concerns by including at least ONE CORE IRA conservation practice?

1. YES – Points: 0
2. NO – Points: 0

Category Question

Planners must review the CPA-1200 (Application) and select at least ONE. Use the CPA-1200 to verify eligibility for SDFR and BFR. SDFR and BFR applicants CAN compete in MULTIPLE categories. Select ALL that apply.

1. Applicant self-certifies as a beginning farmer or rancher (BFR) in the NORTHERN District – Points: 0
2. Applicant self-certifies as a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (SDFR) in the NORTHERN District – Points: 0
3. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify. General Category for ALL FARMERS/ APPLICANTS in the NORTHERN District – Points: 0
4. Applicant self-certifies as a beginning farmer or rancher (BFR) in the SOUTHERN District – Points: 0
5. Applicant self-certifies as a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (SDFR) in the SOUTHERN District – Points: 0
6. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify. General Category for ALL FARMERS/ APPLICANTS in the SOUTHERN District – Points: 0
7. Applicant self-certifies as a beginning farmer or rancher (BFR) in the EASTERN District – Points: 0
8. Applicant self-certifies as a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (SDFR) in the EASTERN District – Points: 0
9. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify. General Category for ALL FARMERS/ APPLICANTS in the EASTERN District – Points: 0

Program Questions

1. Does the applicant meet the NRCS definition of a veteran farmer or rancher (VFR)?
   1. YES – Points: 30
   2. NO – Points: 0
2. 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?
   1. YES – Points: 10
   2. NO – Points: 0
3. Is the land permanently protected through a CONSERVATION EASEMENT, purchase of development rights or other mechanism?
   1. YES – Points: 40
   2. NO – Points: 0
4. If this application is approved for funding, will this be the applicant's first EQIP contract?
   1. YES – Points: 60
   2. NO – Points: 0
5. Select the applicable Historically Underserved (HU) category identified on the NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application: Select MULTIPLE if applicable.
   1. Applicant self-certified as a Limited Resource Farmer/ Rancher (LFR) – Points: 20
   2. Applicant self-certified as a Socially Disadvantaged Farmer/ Rancher (SDFR) – Points: 20
   3. Applicant self-certified as a Beginning Farmer/ Rancher (BFR) – Points: 20
   4. Applicant Does Not Qualify or Self Identify – Points: 0
6. Has the participant been in contract TERMINATION with any prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES – Points: -100
   2. NO – Points: 0
7. Has the participant been in contract VIOLATION with any prior USDA NRCS Contract within the past 3 years?
   1. YES – Points: -25
   2. NO – Points: 0

Resource Questions

1. Does the Conservation Plan include one or more conservation practices from the FY2025 Climate-Smart Ag & Forestry Mitigation Activities list?
   1. 4+ CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 100
   2. 3 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 80
   3. 2 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 60
   4. 1 CORE Climate practices are planned – Points: 40
2. 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 feet or less from waterbody – Points: 30
   2. PLU is 100-500 feet from waterbody – Points: 20
   3. PLU is 500-1000 feet from a waterbody – Points: 15
   4. Otherwise – Points: 0
3. 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
4. Does the Planned Land Unit (PLU) include Prime and State Important Soils?
   1. Yes - PLU contains prime or state important soils – Points: 40
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0
5. 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
6. Is the project in one of the source water priority watersheds?
   1. Yes – Points: 5
   2. Otherwise – Points: 0