Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI)

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.

In Fiscal Year 2026, a total of $1 million is available for grants. Unlike in past years, there is no match requirement for these grants. Applicants can only apply to one WLEI grant during a fiscal year.

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative offers three funding opportunities:

• Service Provider & Producer Association Grant: $10,000-$75,000 (15-month workplan) or $10,000-$100,000 (24-36 month workplan), for organizations that provide services to farm and forest businesses and non-profit associations of farm, forest, or local food businesses.

• Business Enhancement Grant: $10,000-$50,000, for farms, primary/secondary forestry businesses, and food businesses using Vermont-grown ingredients (market development, infrastructure and equipment, workforce training, research and development).

• Trade Show Assistance Grant: $2,000-$5,000, for farm, forest, or local food businesses with 3+ wholesale accounts to exhibit and sell Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows.

• 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 based in Vermont and registered with the 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. 

• 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. 

• Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e. water quality, taxes) and in good standing with the State of Vermont.

• Previous recipients of Working Lands Business Enhancement Grants, Service Provider Grants, or Producer Association Grants are eligible to apply for the Supply Chain Impact Grant this year.

• Previous recipients of past Supply Chain/Market Level Impact Grants or the ARPA-Funded Primary Producer Impact Grant are eligible to re-apply three years after receiving their previous grant, meaning FY21 and earlier grantees can re-apply this year.

• Businesses who have been in operation prior to January 2020 and that are primary producers of farm or forest products may choose to apply for the ARPA-Funded Primary Producer Impact Grant instead of this Supply Chain Impact Grant. The grant dollar amounts and the eligible costs are the same for both grants.

Three grant tracks with published award ranges, from Vermont's FY 2027 Working Lands page:

• Business Enhancement Grant — "Award Size: $10,000-$50,000." For farms, primary/secondary forest product businesses, and food businesses using Vermont-grown ingredients. Eligible uses: marketing, infrastructure/construction, equipment, workforce training and development, research and development. Window Oct 9 – Dec 10, 2026.

• Service Provider & Producer Association Grant — "Award Size: $10,000-max amount TBD." For organizations serving farm/forest businesses and non-profit producer associations. Window Sept 17 – Nov 5, 2026.

• Trade Show Assistance Grant — "Award Size: $2,000-$7,500" with "25% match." For farm, forest or local food businesses with 3+ wholesale accounts, exhibiting at out-of-state or virtual trade shows. Window Winter 2027.

Match: "There will be no match requirement for the Service Provider & Producer Association Grant or the Business Enhancement Grant." Only the Trade Show grant carries the 25% match.

Competition and sizing advice from the state itself: "In Fiscal Year 2027, a total of about $880,000 is available for grants," and "Because funds are limited and these grants are very competitive, you should apply for the minimum amount needed for a project."

Term and limits: "Except where noted, most projects are expected to be completed within one year," and "Applicants can only apply to one WLEI grant during Fiscal Year 2027."

One exclusion that catches farms out: WLEB "will not fund water quality or soil health equipment and infrastructure projects that are eligible for funding under existing programs of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets" — manure structures, fencing/water systems/laneways for rotational grazing, and conservation equipment like no-till planters belong to BMP, Pasture and Surface Water, or Capital Equipment Assistance instead.

Free help is available before you apply: from August 16, grant planning assistance with a Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program business advisor is offered "on a first-come, first-serve basis."

How to Apply

Apply to one of three Vermont Working Lands Grants

1. Service Provider & Producer Association Grant 

2. Business Enhancement Grant

3. Trade Show Assistance Grant