Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Opens Business Enhancement Grant Applications

$508k available for farm, forest, and food businesses

October 13, 2026 | Montpelier, VT - 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. Applicants can apply for grants from $10,000 to $50,000. There is no match requirement.

The application portal is open from October 9^th through December 10^th, 2026 at 2:00pm .

Eligible project types are:

• Infrastructure development
• Equipment
• Market development
• Research and development
• Workforce training and development

There will be an optional applicant webinar on Wednesday, October 14 from 11:00am-12:00pm. There will also be weekly virtual drop-in question and answer (Q&A) sessions while the application is open. Applicants will be notified of award decisions in late February/early March 2027, and projects can begin in April 2027.

Applicants should develop a specific project, including a timeline, goals, and budget in order to complete the application. Applicants will also need to submit business financial documents. Grant project planning assistance is available from on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Any food, wood processing, or food or wood distribution applicant must make their product sourcing clear in the application.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the minimum amount they need for project success given the limited funds available.

To learn more about projects that have been funded in the past, there are lists of past awarded grants and along with stories about recent grant projects.

More details about the Business Enhancement Grant, including full eligibility criteria and weekly Q&A information, can be found at: Working Lands Business Enhancement Grant.

For questions regarding WLEI grant opportunities, please contact: Clare Salerno | Program Coordinator | Working Lands Enterprise Initiative | [email protected] | 802-917-2637

Please follow @vtworkinglands, sign up for the VT Ag Bulletin and the monthly edition of Agriview for program updates and application announcements.

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) and governing board (WLEB) were created in 2012. WLEB's vision is that our shared working landscape is the foundation of Vermont's evolving culture, vibrant economies, healthy ecosystems, and sense of place. WLEB's mission is to make strategic investments and develop policy recommendations that support a sustainable farm, food, and forest economy in Vermont.