The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) seeks a dairy farmer to serve on the board. The mission of the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative (WLEI) is to strengthen and grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. WLEB achieves this by making investments in the Vermont farm and forest economy and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands. WLEB is responsible for stewarding the Working Lands Enterprise Fund (WLEF), which receives $1,000,000 annually to grant to farm and forest businesses and service providers.
WLEB is a twenty-member board made up of private sector members throughout the supply chains of agriculture and forestry, and staff from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Vermont Housing Conservation Board, Vermont Economic Development Authority, and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.
The dairy farmer seat is available to anyone that is currently milking cows, goats, or sheep and feels they can represent the VT dairy industry on the board. WLEB meets on the third Tuesday of the month in the afternoon on Microsoft Teams. In June and August, there are day-long in person meetings. WLEB members can participate in board subcommittees, grantee site visits, and/or an annual legislative hearing based on their interest and availability. WLEB members receive a $50 payment per meeting and are eligible for mileage and meals reimbursement for in person events. The dairy farmer seat must be officially appointed by the governor to serve a one-year initial term. After that, they can serve up to three three-year terms.
The dairy farmer's business cannot apply for any Working Lands grants while they are serving on the board.
For more information about WLEB, please visit workinglands.vermont.gov. Any dairy farmers interested in learning more about serving on WLEB and the nomination process should contact Clare Salerno at Clare.Salerno@vermont.gov or 802-917-2637.