A forest path surrounded by tall pine trees with sunlight filtering through the branches.

Food, Farms, & Forests Fund

Various pumpkins and gourds displayed on a blue stand at an outdoor market.

Our Food, Farms & Forests Fund provides capital and business development support for small farms, food producers, and natural resources entrepreneurs across Vermont.

Loan Guidelines

Eligible businesses are those that are unable to obtain credit at reasonable rates and terms and may include:
- Farms and agricultural operations
- Food producers, incubators, wholesalers and retailers including grocery stores, co-ops, CSAs and farmers markets
- Forestry and forest product enterprises
- Stewardship and other natural resources organizations
The FFF Fund provides financing to enterprises that meet any of the following qualifications:
- sustainable agriculture/forestry practices/sustainable use of natural resources
- involvement of the local food and Vermont food economy
- participation in/support for healthy foods and healthy foods access programs
- opportunities for education/youth engagement
- other benefit to distressed communities or underserved populations
Uses may include:
- Real estate/farmland acquisition
- Facility construction or improvement
- Equipment
- Inventory
- Working capital
Terms range from several months to 20 years.
Interest rates are fixed and start at 7.5%.
A $60 application fee is due at the time the loan request is submitted.
An origination fee of 1% of the loan amount, a $215 documentation fee and associated filing fees are due upon closing. In some cases, origination and closing fees may be financed.
You may find the application on our main business loan page.
However, we encourage you to speak with us before submitting a loan application.
You may reach us by completing the form below, contacting us at admin@vclf.org, or calling us at 802-223-1448.

Need more than a loan?

Our Business Resource Center provides free advising and technical assistance to help you apply for one of our loans — plus ongoing support once you're a borrower.