The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) is opening applications for the Business Enhancement Grant. This grant is open to Vermont working lands businesses/organizations, which include farms producing food and fiber, as well as forest products businesses. Some food businesses/organizations, as well as agriculture or wood processing and/or distribution businesses can be eligible if they meet certain requirements for local sourcing of raw ingredients or product.  

Eligible project types include infrastructure, equipment, marketing, research and development, and workforce training and development. Applicants can apply for grants $10,000 to $50,000 grants. There is no match requirement for this grant.  

The application portal is open from October 17th through December 11th, 2025. There will be an optional applicant webinar on Thursday, October 23rd from 11:00am–12:00pm. There will also be weekly virtual drop-in Q&A sessions while the application is open.

The recording and slides will be posted online within one week of the live webinar.

This webinar will cover:

• General information about the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative
• Grant timeline
• Grant eligibility
• Scoring criteria
• How to apply
• General tips for applying