Posted October 4, 2024 at 03:39pm by Clare Salerno

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Grant Applications Open

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) is opening applications for two different grants for Vermont agriculture, food, and forestry businesses and organizations. 

Service Provider & Producer Association Grants - Applications open now! 

This grant is for two types of applicants: 

  • Service providers, which are organizations that provide business support services to agricultural and forestry businesses.  
  • Producer associations, which are organizations founded and funded by Vermont businesses related to agriculture, food, beverage, forest, or fiber products.   

 

Service provider grant projects should provide direct or indirect services to support Vermont-based working lands businesses. Producer association grant projects may also provide these services to their members, or the project can be about association’s governance and operations. Up to $370,000 is available to award in amounts of $10,000-$75,000. This year, there is no match requirement for this grant. 

  1. September 20, 2024: Request for Applications (RFA) released and application opens for submission
  2. September 24, 2024 11am-12pm: Applicant webinar and Q&A. View the webinar slides and recording.

  3. November 7, 2024 at 11:59pm: Application deadline

     

Business Enhancement Grants - Applications opening 10/18! 

This grant is for Vermont working lands businesses/organizations, which include farm and forest products businesses. Some food businesses/organizations, as well as agriculture or wood processing and/or distribution businesses can be eligible if they meet the requirements below. Any food, processing, or distribution applicant must make their Vermont product sourcing clear in the application.  $620,000 is available to award in amounts $10,000-50,000. This year, there is no match requirement for this grant. 

  • October 18, 2024: Request for Applications (RFA) released and application opens for submission
  • October 24, 2024 11am-12pm: Applicant webinar with Q&A. Register for the webinar. Recording and slides will be posted here after the event.
  • December 12, 2024: Application deadline