Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

06/09/2026

Now Open: Breakout session proposals for the 2026 Farm to Plate Annual Gathering. Submissions due by Friday, August 7, 2026.

Vermont Farm to Plate invites those working across Vermont’s food system to submit proposals for the 16th Annual Gathering, November 19 to 20 at Burke Mountain Hotel.

This year’s theme, “Taking Stock and Quilting the Future: Stitching Land, Farms, and Markets Together for a Stronger Food System,” calls on our community to share practical, experience- and evidence-informed approaches that support stronger decision-making and help advance a food system that is just, environmentally resilient, and economically viable.

Learn more at https://www.vtfarmtoplate.com/news/request-proposals-breakout-sessions-2026-farm-plate-annual-gathering-open.

06/04/2026

We are excited to share an important milestone for the DeltaClimeVT Business Accelerator with the announcement of four pilot projects to accelerate Vermont’s clean energy transition. https://deltaclimevt.com/deltaclimevt-announces-four-innovative-pilot-projects-to-field-test-vermonts-clean-energy-future/

These projects, totaling $110,000, bring together Vermont utilities and DeltaClimeVT alumni companies to evaluate innovative approaches that improve grid reliability and resilience while expanding equitable access to EV charging. Each pilot includes robust data collection to support utility decision-making and inform potential adoption across Vermont.

The Four DeltaClimeVT Alumni Pilot Projects:
- Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, Northfield Electric Department and Noteworthy AI
- Vermont Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Bidirectional Energy
- Green Mountain Power and Revvit
- Burlington Electric Department and EVmatch

Looking ahead, we will gather June 11 at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington to announce the DeltaClimeVT Energy 2026 peer-selected $25,000 award winner, hear from this year’s cohort and celebrate a decade of impact together. RSVP at https://web.cvent.com/event/a419ef01-c9cd-4c56-b9eb-024c56a279d0/summary.

06/01/2026

Meet Seth Sternberg, CEO and CTO of Bullfinch Earth, the 2025 Forest Business Accelerator winning company! They build wearable sensor technology that helps forest managers collect better data faster and more affordably. By modernizing how forest inventory data is captured and used, Bullfinch Earth is helping improve sustainability, efficiency, and decision making across the forest sector.

Read the full founder story in our Built from the Forest series: https://forestaccelerator.com/2026/06/01/bullfinch-earth-advancing-forest-management-with-real-time-data/

DEADLINE APPROACHING FAST: We are currently seeking applicants for the 2026 Forest Business Accelerator: https://forestaccelerator.com/cohort-2026/

05/18/2026

After 135 years in the same Barre building, Trow & Holden faced a defining moment when the 2023 floods brought production to a halt. What followed was not just recovery. It was a once-in-a-generation decision about how to adapt, invest, and lead a historic family business into the future.

With support from VSJF’s Business Coaching Program, sixth-generation owner Gina Akley and her team developed a bold plan to modernize operations, navigate complex family dynamics, and make a $5 million investment in their future while staying rooted in place. This is a story about craftsmanship, resilience, and the kind of strategic thinking it takes to transform a Vermont legacy business without losing what makes it exceptional.

Read the full story: https://www.vsjf.org/2026/05/15/forging-ahead-a-135-year-old-vermont-toolmaking-business-plans-for-the-future/

05/13/2026

What if graphite did not have to come from the ground?

Meet Yang Zhong, Founder and CEO of Carbion, a 2025 Forest Business Accelerator company transforming forest biomass into high quality graphite for batteries and other critical industries. Read the full founder story in our Built from the Forest series: https://forestaccelerator.com/2026/05/12/carbion-turning-forest-biomass-into-battery-grade-graphite/

We are currently seeking applicants for the 2026 Forest Business Accelerator: https://forestaccelerator.com/cohort-2026/

Carbion transforms forest biomass into battery grade graphite without mining. Meet the founder through the Forest Business Accelerator.

05/08/2026

The Forest Business Accelerator 2026 is accepting applications! This Vermont-based accelerator is seeking startup and seed-stage ventures from across the U.S. developing innovative products, services, and technologies for the forest and wood products industry. Deadline extended to June 12, 2026: https://bit.ly/forest-accelerator-2026

05/07/2026

Last week, the Vermont House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry spent time in Hardwick visiting the The Center for an Agricultural Economy’s Vermont Food Venture Center and CAE Food Hub.

The tour offered a close look at how food hubs support Vermont’s small and mid-scale producers by aggregating, storing, marketing, and distributing local food to a wide range of buyers. Committee members saw how CAE’s facility improvements have made operations more efficient while expanding opportunities for producers and customers alike.

The visit also lifted up the broader work of the Vermont Food Hub Collaborative, a Farm to Plate Network priority strategy team, that brings together CAE, the Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN), Food Connects, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, the Intervale Center, and the Vermont Farmers Food Center. By sharing best practices, digging into financial and operational data, and exploring shared systems, these food hubs are strengthening local supply chains and building a more connected and resilient food system for Vermont. We appreciate the Committee’s interest in seeing this work firsthand and engaging in ongoing conversations about food access, economic viability, and long-term resilience.

04/02/2026

Applications now open! Deadline June 12, 2026.
Learn more and apply at https://forestaccelerator.com/cohort-2026/

Are you a startup or seed-stage company working on innovative products, services, or technologies for the forest and wood products industry in the U.S.? Apply to the Forest Business Accelerator 2026. Selected companies participate in a four-month business accelerator, connect with industry experts, customers, and investors, and compete for a $15,000 non-equity award.

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund is re-launching the Forest Business Accelerator to provide forest business startups and seed stage businesses with a comprehensive commercialization curriculum and connections to industry experts, customers, suppliers, partners, pilots and investors.

03/29/2026

🎉 Yesterday, Governor Scott signed S.60, the Farm & Forestry Operations Security Special Fund, into law!—but we’re not done yet.

S.60 is a huge win for Vermont farmers, helping ensure they have the support they need to recover from extreme weather.

But without funding, it won’t become a reality. The legislature must appropriate funds in the FY27 state budget, or farmers won’t receive support when they need it most.

📣 Take action today: Contact your Senator(s) and urge them to fund the Farm Security Fund.

Use our template (and add your own voice!) at the link below:

https://ujoin.co/campaigns/3936/actions/public?action_id=6522

03/24/2026

We are excited to announce the DeltaClimeVT Energy 2026 cohort companies focused on enhance grid resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. https://www.vsjf.org/2026/03/24/vermont-based-deltaclimevt-business-accelerator-selects-energy-2026-cohort/

By bringing entrepreneurs to Vermont from the U.S. and Canada, DeltaClimeVT helps Vermont discover new technologies that can be deployed in Vermont to help lower electricity costs for Vermont ratepayers! Energy entrepreneurs from all over the U.S. will join us for Sprint 1 in Burlington, VT March 30 to participate in work sessions and engage with mentors, while competing for a $25,000 award and pilot opportunities.

DeltaClimeVT Energy 2026 Cohort Companies:
Biospheric AI, Magnefy, Popper Power, PWRJOULE

A special thank you to the 2026 sponsors and partners for helping to make this program possible: Jane’s Trust Foundation, Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, Efficiency Vermont, Green Mountain Power, EastRise Credit Union, Vermont Electric Cooperative, Inc., Vermont Gas Systems, Vermont Economic Development Authority, M&T Bank, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

VSJF has selected seven early stage energy companies for the DeltaClimeVT Energy 2026 accelerator, partnering with Vermont utilities to advance innovation and reduce emissions.