Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI)

1. Review the full Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
4. Complete your pre-application in WebGrants using our Application Guide between November 9 and December 16, 2022.
5. If invited back to full application round, complete your full application between February and April 2023.

Key Dates and Deadlines
- October 28, 2022: Request for Applications (RFA) released (will be linked here on that date)
- November 3, 2022: Applicant webinar with Q&A. View the recording and slides.
- November 9, 2022: Pre-application opens for submission
- December 16, 2022: Pre-application deadline
- Early February 2023: Pre-applicants notified of decisions; selected applicants can submit final application
- Early April 2023: Final application deadline
- Early May 2023: Final round applicants notified of decisions
- May 2023: Grantee documentation due
- June 2023: Estimated project start date

Clare Salerno

Diana Ferguson

WebGrants Technical Assistance

Funding Source: the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Vermont Legislative appropriation 

Project types:

- Market development – professionalizing business marketing and/or branding approaches to establish new or expand current markets; hiring a professional marketing/branding contractor to develop strategy and/or content; implementing the strategy and/or content&#x2004;developed by the contractor (e.g., branding, website, or social media development) 

- Research and design focused on business diversification, operations and/or product development 

- Infrastructure improvements that enable scaling up of business operations; including project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs 

- Energy focused projects – efficiency enhancements, including 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 




Funding Source: the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through Vermont Legislative appropriation 
Project types:
- Market development – professionalizing business marketing and/or branding approaches to establish new or expand current 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 design focused on business diversification, operations and/or product development 
- Infrastructure improvements that enable scaling up of business operations; including project-specific planning, permitting, engineering or architectural plans; building and equipment costs 
- Energy focused projects – efficiency enhancements, including 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 


- All enterprises must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State.
- Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e. water quality, taxes) and in good standing with the State of Vermont.
- Businesses must have been operational prior to January 2020.
- Only primary producers of farm or forest products are eligible to apply for the ARPA-Funded Primary Producer Impact Grant. Examples of eligible primary production activities are farming, livestock rearing, sugaring, dairy, and logging.
- While typically the forest industry includes sawmills and other primary wood manufacturing as primary production, from the forest sector only businesses involved in harvesting timber are eligible for this grant because of federal definitions of primary production.
- Primary producers can use grant funds to invest in market development, infrastructure, and workforce development initiatives that advance their usage of primary products they have produced. Grant funds can be used for investments in processing primary products. 
- Applicants will need to demonstrate how their business experienced a negative economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., experienced an increased operational cost, decreased revenue or gross receipts, increased costs, challenges covering payroll, or other harm that can be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic). Grant funds must be used to support your businesses recover from the economic harm experienced. Additionally, a business that received the Vermont COVID-19 Agriculture Assistance Program (VCAAP) must use these grant funds for a different scope of work. 
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to apply for this grant.
- Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2020 and earlier grantees in those categories are eligible to apply this year.
- Secondary processors/producers or primary producers looking for smaller dollar amount grants should apply for the Business Enhancement Grant, due October 28.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- Request for Applications (RFA)
- WebGrants Application Guide

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

Trade Relief

Trials

Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Certified Organic

Legal & Finance

Marketing

Equipment

Infrastructure

Alternative Energy

Labor

Transition

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.

How to Apply
1. Review the full Request for Applications (FY 2024 linked as a sample) for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide.

Key Dates and Deadlines - sample
- October 6, 2023: Request for Applications (RFA) released and application opens for submission
- October 11, 2023 12-1: Applicant webinar with Q&A. View the slides and recording.
- October 30, 2023 at 12:00 PM/noon: Deadline to Request Optional Assistance with Grant Project Planning: Contact Clare Salerno at Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov to be referred to a business advisor from the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program.
- November 20, 2023: Application deadline
- Early January 2024: Applicants notified of funding decisions
- Late January 2024: Grantee documentation due
- February 2024: Estimated project start date
- 

This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the&#x2004;fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 


## **Grant Overview**

- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000

- Project types:

    - **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 a 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.



This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 

Grant Overview
- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000
- Project types:
    - 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 a 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.

Eligibility
- 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. 
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2024. Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, ARPA Primary Producer, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2021 and earlier grantees are eligible to apply this year.


- Request for Applications
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Application Guide

How to Apply
1. Review the full Request for Applications (FY 2024 linked as a sample) for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide.

The mission&#x2004;of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to strengthen and grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy, and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands.


This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 


## **Grant Overview**

- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000

- Project types:

    - **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 a 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.




The mission of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to strengthen and grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy, and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands.

This grant is currently closed for applications. Check back in fall 2024 for the next round, which will be the fiscal year 2025 cycle. Below is information about the most recent round. Many aspects of the application will stay the same but the award amounts, funds available, timeline, process, eligibility, and application questions are all subject to change. 

Grant Overview
- Award amounts $15,000 - $50,000
- Project types:
    - 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 a 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.


- Value-added food businesses that source at least 50% of raw ingredients from Vermont OR are applying for a Working Lands grant to significantly increase use of ingredients sourced from Vermont are eligible. • Businesses that sell “unique food products” are not eligible unless the business will use grant funds to increase production of raw ingredients in Vermont. o Unique food products are processed foods made from ingredients that are not regularly produced in Vermont or are not available in sufficient quantities to meet production requirements. 
- Secondary forestry businesses are eligible if at least 50% of the wood they use is grown in the Northeast OR the Working Lands grant project will significantly increase use of wood sourced from the Northeast.
- 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. 
- Previous Working Lands Standard Business and COVID-19 Response Business Development grantees are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2024. Previous Working Lands Supply Chain Impact, Market Level Infrastructure Impact, ARPA Primary Producer, or Meat Slaughter and Processing Development Grants are eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding after three years, meaning that Fiscal Year 2021 and earlier grantees are eligible to apply this year.


A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

- Working Lands Business Grant 2024 Presentation Power Point
- Working Lands Business Development Directory

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

High Tunnel

Storage

- 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.
- Match waiver or reduction request: • In budget table, enter amount of match you can realistically commit to (if full waiver requested, enter $0) • Explain why match waiver is needed at this time


**Project focus areas:**

- Makes significant process and/or infrastructure improvements for medium to large scale production, processing, or&#x2004;distribution enterprises in the forestry, wood products, or value-added ag and food sector; 

- Scale of the primary product being brought into supply chain has ability to strengthen the industry, address the sector on a market-wide scale, and/or address a market downturn;

- The technology or approach is innovative and will lead to new opportunities for multiple businesses and/or increases the scale of the enterprise in a way that enables it to meet growing demand or other market need.



Project focus areas:
- Makes significant process and/or infrastructure improvements for medium to large scale production, processing, or distribution enterprises in the forestry, wood products, or value-added ag and food sector; 
- Scale of the primary product being brought into supply chain has ability to strengthen the industry, address the sector on a market-wide scale, and/or address a market downturn;
- The technology or approach is innovative and will lead to new opportunities for multiple businesses and/or increases the scale of the enterprise in a way that enables it to meet growing demand or other market need.

Producers of medium to large scale production, processing, or distribution enterprises in the forestry, wood products, or value-added ag and food sector.


1. Review the full Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. The applicant webinar is also available to view for an overview of the application process.  
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide

Vermont-based nonprofit producer&#x2004;association groups that represent and promote Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products are welcome to apply for grant funding for projects in the following domains:

- Market development, marketing plans, and sales

    - Ability to identify appropriate markets, brand and sell products, value proposition, product differentiation, market research, including research and design;

- Leadership and organizational development: business structure, business technical assistance, onboarding and/or transitions for new executive directors and post succession;

- Governance: Board training and capacity, building/refreshing by-laws, committee work, strategic planning process activities

- Business research and development; business and financial planning



Vermont-based nonprofit producer association groups that represent and promote Vermont agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products are welcome to apply for grant funding for projects in the following domains:
- Market development, marketing plans, and sales
    - Ability to identify appropriate markets, brand and sell products, value proposition, product differentiation, market research, including research and design;
- Leadership and organizational development: business structure, business technical assistance, onboarding and/or transitions for new executive directors and post succession;
- Governance: Board training and capacity, building/refreshing by-laws, committee work, strategic planning process activities
- Business research and development; business and financial planning

- All enterprises must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State
- All organizational structures are eligible:
    - Sole proprietorships
    - Partnerships
    - Limited Liability Corporations
    - Cooperatives
    - Non-profits involved in the support of the production of agriculture and/or forest products
- 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 Grants under $20,000 are eligible to re-apply this year. Previous recipients of Business Grants $20,000 and above are eligible to re-apply three years after receiving their previous grant.

- Request for Applications
- WebGrants
- FAQ 
- Webinar 
- Application Guide


1. Review the full FY 2023 WLEI Service Provider Grant Request for Applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. The applicant webinar is also available to view for an overview of the application process.  
4. Complete your application in WebGrants using the Application Guide

Service Provider Grant projects will include the provision of direct and indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through technical assistance and other forms of support, which may cover topic(s) such as:

- Market development, marketing plans, and sales;

- Business and&#x2004;financial planning;

- Business responses to COVID-19;

- Enterprise transitions for next generation business owners and post succession;

- Access to capital;

- Manufacturing efficiencies or process flow;

- Business research and development

- Workforce development, professional engagement training;

- Import substitution, assistance to businesses emphasizing or exploring Vermont production to fill in or address gaps (packaging, ingredients, etc.) along forest and agriculture supply chains.

For further context about the history of service providers and the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, please see the [Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Service Provider Educational Paper](https://workinglands.vermont.gov/sites/workinglands/files/documents/Working%20Lands%20Enterprise%20Initiative_Service%20Provider_EducationPaper_2019_.pdf).



Service Provider Grant projects will include the provision of direct and indirect services to support the development of Vermont-based working lands businesses through technical assistance and other forms of support, which may cover topic(s) such as:
- Market development, marketing plans, and sales;
- Business and financial planning;
- Business responses to COVID-19;
- Enterprise transitions for next generation business owners and post succession;
- Access to capital;
- Manufacturing efficiencies or process flow;
- Business research and development
- Workforce development, professional engagement training;
- Import substitution, assistance to businesses emphasizing or exploring Vermont production to fill in or address gaps (packaging, ingredients, etc.) along forest and agriculture supply chains.
For further context about the history of service providers and the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, please see the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Service Provider Educational Paper.

Service provider organizations must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State at the time of application submission. 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). Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e., water quality, taxes, child support) and in good standing with the State of Vermont at the time of applying and must remain so during the entire grant period.
Previous recipients of Working Lands Service Provider Grants are eligible to re-apply for funding during Fiscal Year 2023. Previous grantees who are applying again must explain how this project builds on previous work or is a separate project, as well as report on the results of previously funded projects and 4 demonstrate how continued funding will be used to grow or improve the program. Services must be provided to a new cohort of businesses for each funding period. For optional further context about the history of service providers and the Working Lands Enterprise Board, please see WLEI's educational paper on this topic.

- FY 2023 WLEI Service Provider Grant Request for Applications 
- WebGrants 
- FAQ 
- Applicant Webinar 
- Application Guide


Disaster Relief

Coronavirus

Trees

Weather

Wildfire

Business Plan

Cash Rent

Refinancing

Succession

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Emergency

How to Apply
1. Review the Request for Pre-applications for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the pre-application process.
2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
3. Visit the Working Lands application frequently asked questions for resources and to get support on your application. 
4. Complete your pre-application in WebGrants using our Application Guide by January 19, 2024.
5. If invited back to final application round, complete your final application. Use the final application Request for Applications (linked here when available) for complete details. 

Approximately 20% of Vermont’s working landscape is used for agricultural purposes, and 80% is forested. Vermont prospers and its unique sense of place thrives because of intelligent investments in the people and enterprises that comprise its farm, food, and forest-based systems. Strong community engagement and support for the farm and forest sectors leads to enhanced quality of life for Vermont citizens and working lands business owners.



- 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.


Kristen Brassard

Melissa Moon

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ [Trade Show Assistance Grants](http://agriculture.vermont.gov/sites/agriculture/files/doc_library/Trade%20Show%20Assistance%20Grant_Request%20for%20Applications_FY23.pdf) provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont&#x2004;products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers. Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.



The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Trade Show Assistance Grants provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to identify, plan, exhibit, and sell their Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can mitigate the financial risks associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers. Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.

Vermont-based agricultural and forestry businesses that meet the following criteria are eligible to receive funds through this grant:
1. Business is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State and has been in business for over one year
2. Business or its headquarters are located within Vermont
3. Business has three or more wholesale accounts
4. Business’ products meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129

Eligible proposals must assert that:
- Proposed trade show(s) are located outside of Vermont; or if virtual, must target out-of- state buyers.
- Applicant has previously attended trade show no more than 4 times. This grant will fund up to 5 years of attendance at a single trade show.
- The proposed budget demonstrates a minimum of a 1:1 cash match contribution. This grant will reimburse each eligible line item 50%.
- Proposed trade show is in the business to business (wholesale) format. Direct to consumer shows will only be eligible on a case-by-case basis.
- Funding will be used for the following approved expenses:
    - Travel and accommodation expenses
    - Marketing assets and booth design
    - Registration fees (including booth space and educational sessions)
    - Booth fees including furnishings and utilities
    - Shipping/freight
    - Other marketing costs (samples, printing, etc.)

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Trade Show Assistance Grants provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to exhibit and sell their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can partially offset&#x2004;the expenses associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers and expand into new domestic and international markets. Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements for shows that take place between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.



The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Trade Show Assistance Grants provide Vermont agricultural and forestry businesses with funds to exhibit and sell their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants can partially offset the expenses associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers and expand into new domestic and international markets. Applicants may include up to five trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $5,000 in eligible reimbursements for shows that take place between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Businesses may not apply for funding to support attendance at trade shows they have already attended five or more times.

Vermont-based agricultural and forestry businesses that meet the following criteria are eligible to receive funds through this grant:
1. Business is registered with the Vermont Secretary of State and has been in business for over one year
2. Business or its headquarters are located within Vermont
3. Business has three or more wholesale accounts
4. Business’ products meet the Vermont Local Definition as defined in Act 129

Eligible proposals must assert that:
- Proposed trade show(s) target out-of-state buyers. Typically, trade shows based in Vermont would not be eligible. However, there are exceptions in which regional, or even international trade shows happen to be held here. These shows are eligible if they meet the other requirements in this RFA. Please contact the grant program manager with questions.
- Applicant has previously attended trade show no more than 4 times. This grant will fund up to 5 years of attendance at a single trade show. 
- The proposed budget demonstrates a minimum of a 1:1 cash match contribution. This grant will reimburse eligible costs for each trade show up to 50%.
- Proposed trade show is in the business to business (wholesale) format. Direct to consumer shows are not eligible for TSAG funding.
- Funding will be used for the following approved expenses:
    - Travel and accommodation expenses
    - Marketing assets and booth design
    - Registration fees (including booth space and educational sessions)
    - Booth fees including furnishings and utilities
    - Shipping/freight
    - Other marketing costs (samples, printing, etc.)


List of Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) Funding Opportunities