Vermont's Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Celebrates 13 Years of Funding Farm and Forest Businesses

Annual report highlights program's impact, including $19.5 million invested in 593 projects and $31.9 million in matching funds leveraged.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI), a Vermont program that provides grants to farm, food, and forestry businesses, has released its annual impact report. Since being created by the Vermont legislature in 2012, WLEI has directly invested $19.5 million in 593 projects and leveraged an additional $31.9 million in matching funds. The 2025 grantee businesses are collectively working 1,524 acres across Vermont, employing 146 people, and contributing $12.2 million in sales revenue.

Why it matters

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative plays a crucial role in supporting Vermont's rural economy by investing in the state's farm, food, and forestry sectors. These investments help sustain skilled craftsmanship, strengthen local supply chains, and ensure forest-based and agricultural businesses remain competitive and resilient.

The details

In 2025, WLEI funded a wide range of businesses and projects, from a robotic feed pusher to timber framing workshop space to an herb harvester. Businesses of all sizes were funded, with the largest having annual sales exceeding $5 million and 45 employees, and the smallest having annual sales under $10,000 and 2 employees. The program supported both beginning and generational businesses, with the range of years in operation from 2 to 80 years. Of the 2025 funds, 26% went to forest businesses and 74% went to agriculture and maple businesses.

  • The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative was created by the Vermont legislature in 2012.
  • The program is celebrating its 13th year of impacts in 2026.

The players

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI)

An annual grant program that provides critical investment in farm and forest businesses in Vermont.

Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation

The department that oversees the WLEI program and its investments in Vermont's secondary wood product businesses.

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

The state agency that administers the WLEI program and supports Vermont's rural economy through investments in the farm and food sectors.

Claire Georges

Owner of Butterfly Bakery of Vermont, a WLEI grantee that used the $45,000 grant to expand marketing and increase use of Vermont farm products.

Danielle Fitzko

Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation, who oversees WLEI investments in the state's secondary wood product businesses.

Anson Tebbetts

Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, who oversees the WLEI program and its role in strengthening Vermont's rural economy.

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What they’re saying

“This grant gave us the tools to take control of our growth so we can be more stable as a business and more intentional about supporting the farms we rely on.”

— Claire Georges, Owner, Butterfly Bakery of Vermont (Vermont Business Magazine)

“In Fiscal Year 2025, the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative invested in Vermont's secondary wood product businesses by supporting value added manufacturing, improved efficiency, and expanded market access for Vermont-made products. These investments help sustain skilled craftsmanship, strengthen local supply chains, and ensure forest-based businesses remain competitive and resilient in a changing economy.”

— Danielle Fitzko, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation (Vermont Business Magazine)

“The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative strengthens Vermont's rural economy by supporting the forest and food sectors and improving affordability for those who work the land. For more than a decade, these annual investments have helped businesses grow, create jobs, and deliver high-quality Vermont products.”

— Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture (Vermont Business Magazine)

What’s next

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative will continue to provide annual grants to support Vermont's farm, food, and forestry businesses in the coming years.

The takeaway

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative's 13-year track record of investing in Vermont's rural economy demonstrates the power of targeted, mission-driven funding to help farm, food, and forestry businesses grow, create jobs, and deliver high-quality local products.