The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has opened a new round of funding through the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI), inviting applications from two categories of organizations that support the state’s farms and forest-based businesses.
Who can apply and what the grants fund
The grant program is accepting applications from service providers — organizations that deliver business support services to agricultural and forestry operations — and from producer associations, groups organized and funded by Vermont businesses that focus on agriculture, food, beverage, forest or fiber products.
Projects eligible for service provider funding must deliver direct services to Vermont-based farm and forest businesses. The announcement lists typical services as:
- business and financial planning;
- workforce development; and
- marketing support.
Producer association projects may propose similar member-facing services or focus on the association’s governance and operational capacity.
Key dates, help and resources
Applications are open now and must be submitted through the Agency’s WebGrants portal by 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2026. To walk applicants through eligibility, the submission process and the WebGrants system, the Agency will host an optional webinar on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. A recording and slides will be posted afterward for those unable to attend live.
| Item | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Webinar (optional) | Oct. 1, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. |
| Application deadline | Nov. 5, 2:00 p.m. |
The Agency is also pointing applicants to free tools and technical assistance developed to strengthen proposals and project planning. Two new toolkits — Selling to Restaurants and Buying Local — are available online. Selling to Restaurants covers account development, pricing, delivery and communication. Buying Local provides guidance for restaurant buyers on relationship building, receiving product, working with food hubs and seasonal menu planning.
Assistance for applicants
Project planning support is available by request for those preparing Working Lands grant applications. Assistance is provided through the Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program and can include a review of project ideas, help interpreting financial statements and a light review of grant applications. The Agency noted that the assistance does not extend to actually filling out the application on behalf of the applicant.
Why this matters for Vermont producers
The WLEI has been used in past rounds to help scale small producers, improve market access and bolster the business skills that enable farms and forest-product enterprises to survive and grow in Vermont’s rural economy. By targeting both service organizations and producer-owned associations, this round aims to build capacity at multiple levels: improving the quality of support available to producers while strengthening the organizations that represent and market their products.
For producers and community groups considering an application, the combination of technical toolkits and advisory help is designed to reduce barriers to entry. The webinar and posted materials will be the first practical step for many applicants, while the Viability Program’s advisors can assist in refining budgets, project scope and financial narratives.
Interested organizations should review the Agency’s full grant guidance and use the WebGrants portal to submit applications before the Nov. 5 deadline.
Direct links to application materials, webinar registration and the toolkits are available on the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets website.
