Posted August 11, 2025 at 09:32am by Clare Salerno

Start Planning Now for Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Grant Applications

Do you operate a farm or forestry business or a food business that uses Vermont-grown products? Or are you a producer association or service provider that works with these businesses? Are you looking for funds for equipment, infrastructure, marketing, research, or workforce development? If so, consider applying for a Working Lands Enterprise Initiative grant!  

A total of $1 million is available for grants. 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. 

There is 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.  

The following grants will be available for Fiscal Year 2026. Find more details for each grant online at workinglands.vermont.gov. 

Service Provider & Producer Association Grant  

  • Application Window: September 19 – November 6, 2025 
  • Award Size: $10,000-$75,000 for projects with a 15-month workplan; $10,000-$100,000 for projects with a 24–36-month workplan 
  • 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.  
  • Eligible Applicants  
    • Organizations that provide business assistance services to farm and forest businesses 
    • Non-profit associations of farm, forest, or local food businesses  

Business Enhancement Grant 

  • Application Window: October 17 – December 11, 2025 
  • Award Size: $10,000-$50,000 
  • Eligible Projects/Expenses:  
    • Equipment  
    • Infrastructure  
    • Market development 
    • Research and development 
    • Workforce training and development  
  • Eligible Applicants  
    • Farms growing food or fiber products  
    • Maple sugarmakers 
    • Primary/secondary forestry businesses, including logging, sawmill, and wood manufacturers 
    • Food businesses using ingredients grown in VT  

Trade Show Assistance Grant 

  • Application Window: Winter 2026 
  • Award Size: $2,000-$5,000 
  • 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