The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative continues work to support and stimulate Vermont’s agriculture and forestry industries
Vermont Business Magazine The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) announces 34 awards totaling $1,047,320 to Vermont businesses and organizations in 2026.
The award categories are:
- Service Provider & Producer Association Grants - $370,000 awarded to 10 businesses and nonprofits. These grants fund service providers and producer associations who work directly with working lands enterprises to support them as they grow, pivot, and adapt to an ever-changing marketplace. In 2026, grants will support apprenticeships for future foresters, farm and forest business advising, a Vermont specialty foods tradeshow, and more.
- Business Enhancement Grants - $647,320 awarded to 19 businesses. These grants support farm, forest, and food businesses using Vermont-grown products with market development, infrastructure, equipment costs, and workforce development to advance their businesses. In 2026, grants will support cheese cave improvements, egg washing equipment, new maple taps, a timber processing forwarding wagon, a sawmill lumber carriage drive, and more.
- Trade Show Assistance Grants - $30,000 awarded to 5 businesses. These grants support agricultural, food, and forestry businesses with exhibiting and selling their products at trade shows targeting out-of-state buyers. These matching grants 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.
“These investments help businesses increase sales and efficiency while growing the Vermont economy, making it more affordable and strengthening our rural communities,” said Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Secretary Anson Tebbetts.
A key element to the Working Lands impact is the programs' ability to flexibly respond to businesses most pressing needs. In fiscal year 2026, demand for grants far exceeded the available $1 million in funds. Across these three grants, 169 applications were received totaling $6,098,779 in requests. This significant demand meant that many worthy projects were not funded.
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative receives an annual allocation of $1 million and sometimes receives additional special funds as determined by the annual state budget. Applications will re-open in the fall.
Visit https://workinglands.vermont.gov to find out more about the application process, read stories about grants, and learn about the program’s impact.
The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) and governing board (WLEB) were created by the Vermont Legislature in 2012 to stimulate economic development in the agricultural and forestry sectors. WLEI is a collaborative effort between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation, and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
Working Lands Enterprise Initiative https://workinglands.vermont.gov/
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