Working Lands officials tell Vermont Senate committee demand far outpaces grant funds

Montpelier — Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets officials and partner agencies briefed the Vermont Senate Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday, Feb. 11, on the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, saying the program has funded a wide range of farm and forestry projects since its creation in 2012 but faces demand that far exceeds available grant dollars.

The presentation, led by Deputy Secretary Allison Eastman and vice chair Alicia Utter of the Working Lands Enterprise Board, laid out the program’s statutory origin, governance, review process, FY24 results and examples of grantees whose projects ranged from milking robotics to new grain infrastructure.

The Working Lands Enterprise Fund was created by the Vermont Legislature in 2012, and the board that oversees its grants was reorganized in 2015 to combine agricultural and forestry representation. Agency staff described a 20‑seat board that includes sector representatives and three ex officio organizations (Vermont Economic Development Authority, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and Vermont Housing Conservation Board) that help preserve institutional memory when membership turns over.

Presenters said the program emphasizes three design elements: expert, sector‑based review cohorts; flexible funding to respond…