21—52.44(159) Scoring criteria.

1. 52.44(1)  Application scoring. A scoring committee will be established by the department to evaluate applications with a score of 0 to 100. Projects receiving a score below 60 will not be considered.

2. 52.44(2)  Scoring criteria. The department will use the following criteria to evaluate each application:

   1. a. The extent to which the project addresses the goals of the program to create new jobs, expand opportunities and provide greater flexibility or convenience for local small-scale farmers, and reduce labor associated with the on-farm production and storage of milk: 25 points.
   2. b. The sufficiency of the project’s budget and financing structure: 20 points.
   3. c. The sufficiency of the project’s proposed work plan and timeline including a detailed description of the steps the applicant will take to complete the project as well as estimated dates: 20 points.
   4. d. The ability of the applicant to demonstrate sound business management, financial aptitude, and stability: 15 points.
   5. e. The extent to which measurable objectives can be determined that demonstrate the proposed project’s benefit to the agriculture community: 10 points.
   6. f. The completeness of the application information and sufficiency of detail used to describe the project in the application: 10 points.

[ARC 7127C, IAB 12/13/23, effective 1/17/24]