Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI)

Grant Overview

_Applicants can only apply to one WLEI grant during Fiscal Year 2026. _

In our efforts to reduce duplicative programming within the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), the 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. For example, the Best Management Practices program funds manure management structures such as manure pits and bedded packs, the Pasture and Surface Water Funding program funds fencing, water systems and laneways for rotational grazing, and the Capital Equipment Assistance Program funds innovative conservation equipment such as manure injection toolbars, grain drills, and no-till planters. For more information on Water Quality focused funding opportunities, see the Water Quality Assistance Programs Overview. 

In Fiscal Year 2026, a total of $1 million is available for grants. Applications will open throughout the fall and winter, with awards announced throughout the winter and spring. These awards should be for projects that you will start working on in spring 2026. Except where noted, most projects are expected to be completed within one year.

Unlike in past years, there will be no match requirement for these grants. Because funds are limited and these grants are very competitive, you should apply for the minimum amount needed for a project. 

• Award amounts $50,000 - $250,000

• Project focus areas can include any of the following. Any project should either benefit the applicant and additional organizations or enable applicant's reach to new or larger markets (for example, product aggregation, co- branding, vertical or horizontal efficiencies)

  • 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 

  • Infrastructure development – project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs, including for labor and/or energy efficiency enhancements, such as lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation; may include equipment installation and/or technical assistance costs 

  • Workforce training and development – technical skill training for staff, business management training, and/or business succession planning, including hiring a consultant to support any of these processes 

• Grant recipients must provide matching funds at a 100% (one-to-one) rate using cash (e.g., funds in the bank, paid staff labor hours) or a combination of cash and in-kind items (e.g., businesses time contributed to project, use of equipment, donated goods, pro bono services, volunteer labor) that the grantee organization has received from other sources. Match sources must be identified by the time of application submission and commitments in place by the time of grant agreement signing. Matching funds may not be sourced from other federal funding opportunities. Under limited circumstances, the matching requirement may be reduced or waived for applicants who demonstrate a clear need for this accommodation.

• Up to $786,200 is available to award in this grant round.

  • Working Lands Blog posts about past Supply Chain Impact grants:Hillside Homestead

  • Gevry Firewood

  • Center for an Agricultural Economy

  • Global Village Foods

  • Tree House Hardwoods

  • Jasper Hill Creamery

• 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.

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