Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

**History of the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative** **Purpose and Legislation** The working landscape forms the backbone of Vermont's heritage and economic viability. The "working landscape" consists of agriculture, food systems, forestry, and forest product-based businesses. Approximately 20 percent of Vermont's land is used for agricultural purposes and 80 percent as forestry. In 2009, the Council on the Future of Vermont published *Imagining Vermont: Values and Vision for the Future,* a multi-year effort to gather public input on the state's future. Over 97 percent of Vermonters said they valued the working landscape. This input led to the 2012 legislative session passing the [**Working Lands Legislation - Act 142**](http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2012/Acts/ACT142.pdf), which created the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI). This legislation also established the [**Working Lands Enterprise Fund**](http://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/06/207/04605?_gl=1*7bfc5n*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwMzQxJGoxMyRsMCRoMA..) and the [Working Lands Enterprise Board](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/06/207/04606?_gl=1*1piaenn*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwMzczJGo0NSRsMCRoMA..) (WLEB). Since then, WLEI has managed and invested roughly $1 million annually into agriculture and forestry-based businesses, depending on the program's appropriation. The statutory framework is detailed in **[Subchapter 2 of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Program](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/06/207?_gl=1*i0h560*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwMzkxJGoyNyRsMCRoMA..)**, including sections on **[Legislative Findings (§ 4603)](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/06/207/04603?_gl=1*rcyrc1*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwNDE3JGoxJGwwJGgw)**, **[Intent (§ 4604)](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/06/207/04604?_gl=1*1cnwrbi*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwNDYxJGo2MCRsMCRoMA..)**, **[Fund Structure (§ 4605)](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/06/207/04605?_gl=1*15q2q3l*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwNTA1JGoxNiRsMCRoMA..)**, **[Board Authority (§ 4606)](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/06/207/04606?_gl=1*1s72n9u*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwNTQyJGo2MCRsMCRoMA..)**, and **[Powers and Duties (§ 4607)](https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/06/207/04607?_gl=1*1eampqo*_ga*NzE1ODU3NDQ1LjE3NDk0ODQ5Njc.*_ga_V9WQH77KLW*czE3NTI1OTkwMzQkbzU0JGcxJHQxNzUyNjAwNTYwJGo0MiRsMCRoMA..).** **Program Leadership** The WLEB includes 20 private sector members from across the agriculture and forestry supply chains, along with staff from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets; Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation; Agency of Commerce and Community Development; Vermont Housing & Conservation Board; Vermont Economic Development Authority; and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. In 2015, legislative amendments introduced a policy development role to the board ([**See: History of the WLEB Forestry Committee and the Vermont Forest Industry Network**](https://workinglands.vermont.gov/sites/workinglands/files/doc_library/History%20of%20WLEB%20Forestry%20Committee%20and%20Vermont%20Forest%20Industry%20Network.pdf)).