The Vermont Forest Products Program is working to create and retain quality jobs, open additional markets for locally produced forest products, and improve economic development in the forest products industry.
Vermont Forest Products Program
Vermont’s forest and fiber economy is evolving—blending traditional forestry with innovative uses of wood, hemp, and other natural plant and animal fibers. From wood fiber insulation and molded fiber packaging to mass timber and cellulose-based materials, these emerging products are creating new opportunities for sustainable growth. The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) supports this transition by helping businesses adapt, innovate, and thrive in a changing landscape.
Recognizing that the Northern Forest spans beyond Vermont, VSJF is partnering across state lines to expand markets, share research, and accelerate the development of natural fiber-based technologies. Together, we’re cultivating a resilient regional economy—one that’s rooted in natural resources, forest-based communities and built for the future.
Forest Business Accelerator
In 2025, VSJF re-launched the Forest Business Accelerator, in collaboration with Vermont State University, to provide forest business startups and seed stage businesses with a comprehensive commercialization curriculum and connections to industry experts, customers, suppliers, partners, and investors.
The Forest Business Accelerator provides companies with a unique go-to-market curriculum and approach tailored to the needs of manufacturing and technology companies in the forest economy. Companies receive expert advice and tools to build a market validated business case, economic model, and operating plan through a rigorous commercialization curriculum, coaching, webinars and panels, and connections to industry experts, customers, and suppliers. The Accelerator partners with ecosVC to provide companies access to their comprehensive commercialization curriculum and years of experience supporting STEM-based startups through their go-to-market process.
Exploring the Future of Wood-Based Textiles
Forest to Fiber: Next-Generation Pathways for Vermont and Regional Leadership in Wood-Based Fiber and Textiles highlights the growing potential for pulp-grade wood to replace oil-based plastics in woven and non-woven textiles. The report explores emerging technologies, market opportunities, and global policy shifts that could position the Northern Forest region as a leader in sustainable fiber innovation. Access the report for an overview of the global textile industry, data on fiber types, and insights into how wood-based alternatives could reshape supply chains and reduce waste.
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund produced this report with support from the Northern Forest Center, U.S. Endowment for Forests and Communities and EDA, and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board.
Forest Economy Workforce Resources
From looking at statewide initiatives to address worker shortages to forest economy projects seeking to address gaps within the forest and wood products industry, the Vermont Forest Industry Network is committed to workforce development. Vermont has a tremendous amount of resources for employers and employees, but some of them are well-kept secrets.
Click to Visit the Forest Economy Workforce Development Page
In their 100th year, Cabot Creamery Co-operative teamed up with the Vermont Wood Works Council and the Vermont Forest Industry Network to thank the people and businesses in Vermont who steward and care for our forests, and the craftspeople who turn our trees into products we use and cherish for a lifetime.
Vermont Forestry Industry Summit
2025 VT Forest Industry Summit
Was Held June 19, 2025
Bolton Valley Resort
Learn More
Vermont’s Forestry Industry
Vermont’s forest products industry generates an annual economic output of $1.4 billion and supports 10,500 jobs. In addition, Vermont’s forest recreation economy generates another $1.9 billion in economic output, and supports 10,000 additional jobs. The industry was hit hard in the 2008 Recession, and finding markets for low grade wood (the majority of wood harvested from Vermont’s forests) is becoming increasingly difficult due to a sharp decline in the region’s pulp industry, combined with the low price of oil and a move away from expanding electric-only biomass in the region. Markets for high grade wood are healthy, but cannot singularly sustain Vermont’s forest products industry. Without healthy markets for low grade wood, Vermont is likely to see continued decline in the industry’s in-state infrastructure such as logging operations, sawmills and kilns, as well as the local jobs they sustained.
Our Role
Over the past 20 years, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund has provided industry analysis, expertise and project support, which positions the Vermont Forest Products Program to have a positive impact on the state’s forestry sector in rural communities throughout the state. Vermont’s forest products industry is imperative for job creation and sustainability, providing economic, environmental, and social benefits for rural communities that have limited economic opportunities. The Vermont Forest Products Program aims to help create and sustain thousands of jobs for Vermonters.
The Vermont Forest Products Program is supported by the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, the High Meadows Fund, the Northern Border Regional Commission, and the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development.
Become a Funder
Are you interested in funding one of our programs or services? We are seeking funders to achieve our sustainable economic goals as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Learn more…
Become a Client
Are you interested in becoming a client to grow your business, industry sector, or replicate one of our approaches? We offer a suite of services for businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Learn more…
Become a Partner
Are you interested in partnering with us to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont? We invite collaboration from diverse stakeholders in all areas of our work.
Learn more…