Under Act Now NRCS can quickly approve and obligate an eligible, ranked application in specific ranking pools when it meets or exceeds a minimum ranking score. This means no longer waiting for a ranking deadline. FY 2025 Act Now applications will be funded on a continuous basis until June 6, 2025.
NRCS has developed a faster process to approve applications for conservation programs. Using our “Act Now” authority, NRCS can now pre-approve applications when they meet or exceed a pre-determined minimum ranking score. Applications are ranked according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide, and the needs of applicants.
Applications for eligible practices that meet or exceed pre-determined minimum ranking thresholds will be considered for priority funding when applying to NRCS Rhode Island's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). No special application is required to be eligible for funding through the Act Now process.
This means funding decisions can be made without having to wait for all applications to be reviewed and ranked. This can potentially allow farmers to start conservation projects earlier instead of waiting long periods to know if a project will be funded.
How Does Act Now Work?
Act Now minimum ranking thresholds and eligible practices are determined at the state-level. The process allows applications in a ranking pool designated for Act Now to be pre-approved a when it meets or exceeds a pre-determined minimum threshold ranking score.
Farmers do not apply separately to Act Now and will be considered for priority funding when applying for an eligible practice through EQIP. Applications are processed in the order they are received and applications that rank at or above the pre-established threshold ranking score will be preapproved as long as funds are available. When the available funding limit through Act Now has been reached, remaining applications may be considered in other relevant ranking pools or rolled over to the next funding cycle.
Once a farmer’s application is pre-approved, they must still meet eligibility requirements, including establishing a farm tract number with USDA’s Farm Service Agency if they have not previously used USDA programs. Farmers also must certify compliance with the adjusted gross income limitation (AGI) provisions and highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements. After establishing eligibility, farmers must complete the planning process and receive notice of approval from NRCS before beginning work. Projects started before final contract approval are ineligible for cost-share assistance unless the farmer has been granted an early start waiver.
Eligible Practices
For fiscal year 2025, NRCS is offering Act Now starting Oct. 4, 2024, and ending June 6, 2025, for two options
EQIP Combustion System & Energy Initiative Act Now
To help farmers and forest landowners in Rhode Island to replace high-emitting diesel engine tractors and other on-farm equipment (loaders, forklifts, motor graders and backhoes, diesel-powered irrigation systems, etc.) with low-emitting diesel or electric alternatives.
The EQIP Combustion System and Energy Initiative Act Now requires that at least one of the following primary practices are assessed, ranked and planned to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency. Supporting practices to these core practices also can be included and funded under this initiative.
- Combustion System Improvement (CPS 372)1
- Pumping Plant (CPS 533)2
- Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (CPS 374)3
- Energy Efficient Lighting System (CPS 670)3
- Energy Efficient Building Envelope (CPS 672)3
Minimum Threshold Ranking Score - 60 Points
EQIP Act Now Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) Implementation
The CNMP Act Now requires a reviewed and approved CNMP Conservation Planning Activity (CPA 102) or a CNMP Design and Implementation Activity (DIA 101) or equivalent, with a completed Inventory and Evaluation by NRCS. NRCS must have identified specific practices, location, extent and amounts to be implemented with contract limitations applied by policy. The goals of the projects will be to eliminate impacts to surface water or groundwater resources, or to minimize emissions (such as greenhouse gases) to improve air quality. Projects eligible for this pool must have completed all consultations. Supporting practices to these core practices can be included in the assessment and funded under this initiative as applicable.
- Soil and Source Testing (CPS 217)
- Waste Storage Facility (CPS 313)
- Animal Mortality Facility (CPS 316)
- Composting Facility (CPS 317)
- Roofs and Covers (CPS 367)
- Pumping Plant (CPS 533)
- Roof Runoff Structure (CPS 558)
- Access Road (CPS 560)
- Heavy Use Area Protection (CPS 561)
- Nutrient Management (CPS 590)
- Waste Transfer (CPS 634)
Click here for the complete list of CNMP Implementation practices for Rhode Island
Minimum Threshold Ranking Score - 60 Points
Deadlines
Eligible applications will be batched and processed in the order they’re received, with selections made weekly. Applications eligible for the Act Now ranking pools above will be accepted on a continuous sign-up basis starting Oct. 4, 2024, and running until June 6, 2025, or until available funds have been expended.
Qualified Act Now applications will be pre-approved while funds remain available and then moved forward to contracting with your local NRCS Field Office.
Why Act Now?
Act Now was designed to help NRCS facilitate the implementation of high priority conservation efforts. Act Now was designed to accelerate the timeframe from program application to contract obligation and create a process where farmers can receive a funding decision sooner to help get conservation on the ground quickly and efficiently.
1Producers using the practice Combustion System Improvement (CPS 372) are required to document the destruction and proper disposal of their existing equipment being replaced to prevent the old units from continued operation, reuse, or movement into another locale.
2CPS 533 Pumping Plant is eligible under the CSI Act Now only when the practice is planned as a primary practice to address air quality and/or energy concerns. When pumping plant is planned as part of an irrigation system, it should be planned as a supporting practice and is not eligible for Act Now.
3To be eligible for Act Now, the applicant must have an approved energy plan that meets the Agricultural Energy Assessment Activity or equivalent that has been reviewed, developed and/ or approved by the lead discipline.
Additional Information
Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Rhode Island
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to Rhode Island farmers, forest landowners, oyster growers, ranchers, and urban growers to address natural resource concerns in the Ocean State.
Learn More