Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) Grants

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) Grants is sponsored by Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Offers grants supporting forest, farm, and food businesses, as well as producer associations and business assistance organizations.

Grants Overview | Working Lands Enterprise Initiative The Service Provider & Producer Association Grant is open now through November 5, 2026 at 2:00pm. The application for the Business Enhancement Grant will be open from October 9, 2026 - December 10, 2026. Looking to get a head start on project planning for the Business Enhancement Grant?

Contact Clare Salerno at clare. salerno@vermont. gov or 802-917-2637 to confirm if your business/organization and project are eligible or to request project planning assistance from a business advisor.

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) offers grants that support forest, farm, and food businesses. Grants also go to producer associations, business assistance 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. Working Lands Grant Cycle Current and Upcoming Grants Working Lands Grant Cycle We are currently in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, which started on July 1, 2026 and will end on June 30, 2027.

July : State of Vermont Legislature and the Governor pass the state budget and approve appropriation to the Working Land Enterprise Fund (WLEF) for upcoming fiscal year. June-August : WLEB convenes their annual symposium to strategize funding prioritization. August-November : Agency staff conduct outreach and webinars to provide guidance on the upcoming application process.

September-January : Applications open and accept applications for about eight weeks prior to application deadline. A group of subject matter experts and thought partners carefully review each completed application and provide recommendations to the WLEB. December-February : WLEB makes final award decisions.

Applicants are notified by email in the order that applications closed. Applicants that were not awarded receive feedback from the WLEB on their applications. December-May : Agency staff work with awardees to finalize grant or contract agreements for awarded projects.

Current and Upcoming Grants Applicants can only apply to one WLEI grant during Fiscal Year 2027. In Fiscal Year 2027, a total of about $880,000 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 2027. Except where noted, most projects are expected to be completed within one year. There will be no match requirement for the Service Provider & Producer Association Grant or the Business Enhancement Grant.

Because funds are limited and these grants are very competitive, you should apply for the minimum amount needed for a project. There will be a public webinar at the beginning of each application period.

Service Provider & Producer Association Grant Application Window: September 17, 2026 – November 5, 2026 Award Size: $10,000-max amount TBD Eligible Projects/Expenses: Service provider grant projects should provide direct services to support Vermont-based working lands businesses through technical assistance and other forms of support. Producer association grant projects may also provide these services to their members.

Producer association grant projects may also relate to the development of the association itself in addition to or instead of providing the above services to members. Producer association grant projects can provide services to members and/or focus on association development projects.

Organizations that provide services to farm and forest businesses Non-profit associations of farm, forest, or local food businesses Application contact: Elizabeth Sipple, Elizabeth.

Sipple@vermont, 802-917-1134 (call or text) Business Enhancement Grant Application Window: October 9, 2026 – December 10, 2026 Award Size: $10,000-$50,000 Eligible Projects/Expenses: Infrastructure/construction Workforce training and development Farms (some exceptions for certain types of farms, see program page for details) Primary/secondary forest product businesses Food businesses using ingredients grown in VT Application contact: Clare Salerno, clare.

salerno@vermont. gov , 802-917-2637 (call or text) Application Planning Support: Beginning August 16th, grant project planning assistance is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This includes working with a business advisor from Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program for a few hours to think through what to apply for, review financial statements, and light review of a grant application.

Contact Clare Salerno at Clare. Salerno@vermont. gov or 802-917-2637 to be referred to a business advisor with experience in your project area.

During the application window, staff will hold weekly online office hours to answer general questions or provide any needed tech support in a group setting. Staff will also respond promptly to any phone or email questions and regularly update the online Frequently Asked Questions.

Trade Show Assistance Grant Application Window: Winter 2027 Award Size: $2,000-$7,500 Eligible Projects/Expenses: Planning, exhibiting, and selling Vermont products at out-of-state trade shows or virtual shows targeting out-of-state buyers Eligible Applicants: Farm, forest, or local food businesses with 3+ wholesale accounts Frequently Asked Questions Required Forms and Navigating WebGrants FAQ - Act 250 and applying for Working Lands Funds Page last updated August 19, 2026.