Grant
Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Business Enhancement Grant (FY2027)
Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets)
What you can get
$10,000 - $50,000 • $508,000 available in FY2027; applicants must show they can pay for project costs the grant won't cover
- Readiness
- Prep docs first
- Who can apply
- producer, small business, co op, nonprofit, Value added food and fiber businesses sourcing at least 50% of raw ingredients grown in Vermont
- Coverage
- VT
- Deadline & timing
- Due December 10, 2026. FY2027 window posted: 'The Business Enhancement Grant is open every fall and will be open next from October 9-December 10, 2026.' RFA released and application opens October 9, 2026; applicant webinar mid-October 2026; application deadline December 10, 2026 at 2:00pm; funding decisions late February/early March 2027; estimated project start April 2027. Available funds $508,000. Applicants can only apply to one WLEI grant in FY2027.
- Eligibility
- Eligibility on the page is labeled 'sample from past round' and subject to change each year. Farms of any size producing food and/or fiber (hay/forage, fruit, vegetables, livestock for dairy/meat/fiber, poultry, maple, honey, hops, etc.) are eligible; indoor-only growers, cannabis, Christmas trees, equine, flowers and horticulture are not. Must be based in Vermont and registered with the VT Secretary of State if incorporated. Recent grantees of RFSI, prior Working Lands and several other programs are ineligible. WLEB will not fund water quality or soil health equipment/infrastructure eligible under existing VAAFM programs. Project types: equipment, infrastructure development, market development, R&D, workforce training.
marketinglivestock infrastructure
Optional expert service · $249
Turn program research into an application package.
An eligibility screen for one farm, a shortlist of up to three relevant programs, and draft practice justifications and a document checklist for one selected application. Delivered within 7 business days after intake.
Last verified Oct 1, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.