Working Lands Enterprise Initiative- Business Enhancement Grant

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative- Business Enhancement Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Amount: US $10,000 - US $50,000
Last Updated: October 21, 2025

Summary

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative's Business Enhancement Grant supports Vermont's agricultural, forestry, and food sectors by funding projects that enhance productivity and marketability. Eligible applicants include farms, logging businesses, and food processors that prioritize Vermont-grown resources. Funding can cover equipment, infrastructure, market development, and workforce training. This initiative aims to strengthen local economies and promote sustainable practices while fostering collaboration among various stakeholders in Vermont's working landscape.

Overview

Working Lands Funding Opportunity Cycle The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) offers grants that support forest, farm, and food businesses. Grants also go to producer associations, business assistance provider organizations, and more. The state's annual budget process decides the amount of funds available each year. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) meets each summer to decide which grants to offer for the coming year based on available funds and needs across Vermont. Business Enhancement Grant Projects eligible for funding may relate to one or more of the following categories: Equipment – new or used equipment, including down payments for large pieces of equipment, rehabbing equipment that is new to the business, or upgrading equipment with new features or attachments.  Infrastructure development – project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building costs, including labor; may include equipment installation and/or technical assistance costs.  Market development – professionalizing a marketing and/or branding approach to new or expanded markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development).  Research and development – testing new systems or technology, including purchasing new animal genetics and new root, seed, or nursery stock. Workforce training and development – technical skill training for staff.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible ApplicantsFarms within agricultural sectors producing food (for animal or human consumption) and/or fiber products: hay and forage crops; hemp grown outdoors for fiber or ingestible CBD products; herbs; honey; hops; fruit; legumes; livestock for dairy, meat, and/or fiber; poultry; maple; nut trees; mushrooms grown outdoors; vegetables; and viticulture. Any size farm in these sectors is eligible.Logging businesses, sawmills, firewood producers, or any other primary forestry business that uses Vermont-grown logs, pulpwood, veneer, wood chips, bark, pilings, etc.Wood product trucking and distribution businesses that transport Vermont-produced wood products.Value-added food and fiber businesses that source at least 50% of raw ingredients grown in Vermont OR are applying for a Working Lands grant to significantly increase use of ingredients grown in Vermont.Agricultural product trucking and distribution businesses that transport Vermont-produced food and/or fiber products.Retail businesses that primarily sell Vermont-produced food and/or fiber products.Secondary wood businesses, such as woodworkers or manufacturers, pellet mills, etc. Secondary wood businesses that source more wood from Vermont will receive higher scores than those that do not source wood from Vermont.Applicant organizations/businesses must be based in Vermont. Businesses or organizations headquartered outside of VT may be eligible if the project or service being proposed is 100% focused on Vermont’s working landscape and businesses. Please contact Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov to discuss eligibility for out-of-state applicants.All structures are eligible (e.g., Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, Sole Proprietorships, Cooperatives, Corporations, S Corporations, L3Cs, B Corporations, and/or non-profits that are involved in the support of production of agriculture and/or forest products). All legally incorporated enterprises must be registered with the VT Secretary of State. Sole proprietors using a business name other than their own name must have their assumed business name (formerly known as a trade name) registered with the Secretary of State.

Ineligibility

Businesses/projects in these sectors are NOT eligible: cannabis; Christmas trees; equine; flowers; hemp grown for topical CBD products; and horticulture crops. Businesses that exclusively grow food or other agricultural products indoors (such as hydroponics, aquaculture, or indoor mushroom production) are NOT eligible. These business types often are eligible for other grants or services, so please review the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets grants and the additional grants and financial assistance pages.  Businesses that produce food made from ingredients that are not regularly produced in Vermont or are not available in sufficient quantities to meet production requirements.  Trucking, distribution, or retail businesses that primarily sell food and/or fiber products that are not grown in Vermont.