FY22 Working Lands Enterprise Fund Request For Applications

From VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Forest Economy-

The Pre-Application for Supply Chain and Market Level Infrastructure Grants opened for reading and reviewing on October 8, 2021. Submittals to this Pre-Application opens on October 22, 2021, and are due on December 6, 2021. These Pre-Applications will be reviewed by the Working Lands Enterprise Board in December, and applicants will be notified in January of denial or invitation to submit Full Applications.

  • Supply Chain project activities under these grants will demonstrate how the market or product the applicant is developing or expanding, will positively impact multiple businesses within its own supply chain, for projects ranging from $25,000 - $75,000.

  • Market Level Infrastructure project activities under these grants will illustrate how the market or product the applicant is developing or expanding will positively impact multiple businesses and/or create a new market. Only low-grade wood, forest products and/or value-added agriculture product sectors are eligible, for projects ranging from $75,000-$250,000.

The Working Lands Enterprise Board is also currently accepting applications for other grant opportunities, to help Vermont businesses with everything from infrastructure, marketing, meat processing, professional development projects and more.

The following are the funding opportunities currently open:

NOTE: The $50K baseline for Meat Slaughter and Processing Grants appears a steep entry barrier for small initiatives given the required 1:1 match. Rural Vermont reached out to AAFM regarding this matter and the Agency clarified that small scale infrastructure investments in meat slaughter and processing, e.g. custom slaughter facilities, can apply through the Standard Business Grant, starting at $10K and can also apply for a waiver of the match making requirement with AAFM.

Applications for the above three grants are due by 11:59pm, on November 1st,  2021.

Applications  will also reviewed in December of 2021 by the Working Lands Enterprise Board. Project decisions will be communicated in late January 2022.

Please visit https://workinglands.vermont.gov/ to find out more.

For questions please contact:

Lynn Ellen Schimoler  (she/her) LynnEllen.Schimoler@vermont.gov
Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
94 Harvest Lane, Williston Vermont 05495 | https://workinglands.vermont.gov/

Rural Vermont