Start Planning Now for Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Grant Applications

Do you operate a farm or forest products 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 $880,000 is available for grants. 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.

In Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 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. 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 in recent years there has only been enough money to fund about 18% of the funds requested, you should apply for the minimum amount needed for a project. 

There will be a public webinar at the beginning of each application period. 

Free project planning assistance is available now for the Business Enhancement Grant through the application window on a first-come, first-serve basis. More info below under the Business Enhancement Grant section. 

The following grants will be available for Fiscal Year 2027. Find more details for each grant online at workinglands.vermont.gov/grant-contract-opportunities/overview. Contact information for each grant is listed below.  

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is offering three funding opportunities in FY 2027:

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. 
• Eligible Applicants 
  • 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: 
  • Marketing
  • Infrastructure/construction
  • Equipment 
  • Workforce training and development 
  • Research and development 
• Eligible Applicants 
  • 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
• 25% match
• 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