The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Business Enhancement Grants, administered by the State of Vermont, support the growth and sustainability of farm and forest businesses in Vermont. While the Fall 2025 round has not officially opened, prior application cycles provide detailed insights into expected eligibility criteria, application processes, and funding scopes. The program focuses on Vermont-based enterprises engaged in producing food, fiber, and forest/wood products, aiming to strengthen the working landscape economy.

The primary objective of the grant is to enhance the infrastructure, market reach, research capabilities, and workforce development of eligible businesses. Past rounds have targeted project types including infrastructure development, market expansion, research and development, and workforce training. However, projects such as land or animal purchases and farmworker housing are explicitly ineligible. Furthermore, water quality or soil health projects that are already eligible for other state-funded programs will not be considered under this grant.

Funding amounts typically range from $10,000 to $50,000, with a total allocation of approximately $620,000 for awards. Notably, the 2025 cycle no longer requires applicants to provide matching funds. However, applicants must demonstrate the ability to fund any part of a project that exceeds the requested grant amount. Financial transparency is key, with applications expected to include financial statements such as profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

Eligible applicants include farms and businesses operating within the agriculture and forestry sectors, such as producers of fruits, vegetables, herbs, hops, livestock, maple, and more. Logging and sawmill operations, wood product transportation companies, value-added processors, and retailers selling primarily Vermont-sourced products may also qualify. All applicants must either be based in Vermont or propose a project fully focused on Vermont’s working landscape. Organizations must also be legally registered with the Vermont Secretary of State.

Applicants are advised to prepare by reviewing the full Request for Applications (RFA), registering on the WebGrants platform, and consulting guidance materials such as the application guide and FAQs. Though specific questions may be addressed during drop-in Q&A sessions, official application materials and webinars offer foundational information for a strong submission. Participation in previous grant rounds may impact eligibility; certain past grantees from FY24 and more recent years may be excluded from applying.

While exact dates for the Fall 2025 cycle are not yet available, applicants should monitor updates in Fall 2025. Based on previous years, the application process may begin in October, with decisions announced in February and projects starting in the spring. Interested applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the Working Lands mailing list and other Vermont Agriculture Development resources to receive updates and reminders.