Working Lands Grant Winner in Fletcher

• Robert and Elizabeth Lesnikoski

$15,000 for “Capital for press building, freezer space and a solar drying facility to increase production of cranberry juice and dried cranberries”

Vermont Cranberry Company, Fletcher

Gov. Shumlin announces 20 grantees of Working Lands Enterprise

MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin, Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross, Forest, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder and the Working Lands Enterprise Board today announced the first round of grant recipients from the “Enterprise Investment Area” of the Working Lands Enterprise Fund, with almost $220,000 awarded to 20 grantees representing sectors across agriculture, forestry and forest products.

The awards include funding for a barn for honey production, beekeeping courses and small scale mushroom growing; a kiln to support Northeast Kingdom wood based businesses; freezer space and a solar drying facility to increase production of cranberry juice and dried cranberries; and more.

“In Vermont, we are committed to supporting and expanding our value-added farm and forest industries, and while these individual grants are relatively small, they can make the difference in helping farmers and those who work our woodlands thrive and expand,” Gov. Shumlin said.

“The Working Lands Enterprise Fund provides for a deeper investment in agriculture and food systems in Vermont, and represents a historic initiative by the State to advance Vermont’s forestry and forest Products sector in a way that has never been done before,” said Ross.

“Vermont's forests contribute to our economy and well-being in so many important ways,” said Snyder. “When we invest in our working forests and forest products businesses, we strengthen this pillar of our economy and we bolster the character of Vermont.”

Enterprise Investments are one of three areas of the Working Lands Initiative, with grants ranging from $3,000-$15,000 for new and growing agriculture and/or forestry based enterprises. The Enterprise Investment Area received 191 applications for a total of $2.1 million in requests from forestry, forest products, dairy, meat, berries, tree fruit, tree farms, maple, produce, honey, fish, horses, renewable energy, compost, specialty foods, fiber, hops, land and soil testing, and drainage.

The Board will be making decisions on the remaining two investment areas (Grants for Service Providers and Capital & Infrastructure Investment Funds) during their May 21 Board meeting. Strategic planning and fund development are also on the horizon.