Economic Impact | Vermont Forestry & Wood Products

Forest Products

Vermont forestry wood harvest sustainable results

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund has provided leadership on a number demonstration projects, assisted with industry level strategic planning, and provided business assistance, network and supply chain coordination services for the forests products industry since 1999.

VSJF’s engagement in the forest products sector led to the creation of the Vermont Forest Products Program to create and retain quality jobs, open additional markets for locally produced forest products, and improve economic development in the forest products industry.

Grow your Business

Grow your forest product business with our business management coaching services.

Vermont Forest Products Program

Learn more about the Vermont Forest Products Program.

Become a Funder

Become a funder to help us deepend our impact in the forest products sector

Indications of Progress in Vermont

  • Seventy-five percent of Vermont’s land mass is covered in forest and the industry generates $1.5 billion annually in economic output. The environmental and economic viability of Vermont’s forested landscape depends on a healthy forest products industry to sustainably manage, harvest and utilize Vermont’s forests.
  • In 2016 there were 6,269 jobs in the forest products industry, down from 9,739 in 2002, a 36% decrease.
  • In 2016 there were 2,107 forest products businesses, down from 2,370 in 2002, an 11% decrease.
  • Twelve percent of Vermont households (31,051) burned at least some wood pellets for space heating, while 38% of Vermont households (96,951 households) burned wood in some form for at least some space heating.)
  • Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan set a target of 35% thermal energy coming from woody biomass by 2030. As of 2017, 21% comes from woody biomass sources.

The Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association has partnered with the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund for many years on various industry projects to support wood manufacturers in the state. We are so pleased to be working with VSJF currently to create opportunities to grow the industry and improve consumer interest in wood products.

Kathleen Wanner
Executive Director, Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association

VSJF Program and Service Results

Strategic Planning

Supply Chain Coordination

Network Development

Business Assistance

Sustainable Wood Guide Specifications

Harvest for Use Initiative

Cornerstone Project

Our firm has grown from a sole proprietorship to a complex and vertical wood products manufacturer and design office over twenty years, taking advantage of small business counseling resources at every step. When we decided to engage with VSJF’s business assistance services, we began a “deep dive” that challenged our whole team, clarified our transition plan, and let us work on our business through a series of hurdles that I am sure as an owner we would not have survived so well without the help of VSJF.

Eli Gould
Owner, Ironwood Brand, LLC

VSJF Vermont Sustainability Funders

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…

VSJF Vermont Sustainability Clients

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…