Happy Spring! The Rough Cut took a winter hiatus, but we’re back with lots of exciting forest economy news.
First up – Save the Date! The 2026 Vermont Forest Innovation Summit will be September 17-18 back at Burke Hotel & Conference Center. Yes, we’ve tweaked the name to reflect the theme we’ve been exploring for a few years now and we want this event to be a space for new ideas, problem-busting solutions and new industry connections. And, we’ve moved the date to the fall so it will coincide with the Forest Business Accelerator (more on that in a moment).
This year, we are requesting session proposals and our Summit Planning Committee will be selecting the lineup by the end of May. If you have a session idea, please submit it here. Read more about what we’re looking for below. Registration will open in early summer.
2026 Forest Business Accelerator Accepting Applications
Applications for the 2026 Forest Business Accelerator are open! We are seeking up to eight U.S.-based ventures that are commercializing new and improved products, services, and technologies in the forest and wood products industry. While open to businesses throughout the U.S., we will give priority to ventures based in the Northern Forest region. We want to attract new ventures to our state and region that are helping address the need for expanded markets for low-grade wood. So if you or someone you know is starting a new forest-based business and wants to accelerate their growth, check out the FBA website to learn more, and click here to apply!
Enjoy the springtime temps, and don’t get stuck in the mud!
-Christine
Dispatch from the Forest
The Summit – Slightly New Name – Same Great Programming
This year’s Vermont Forest Innovation Summit will be a little different. We’re headed back to Burke Hotel & Conference Center in September so we can host the Summit to coincide with the Forest Business Accelerator, a 4-month program for forest-based startups with new products that utilize low-grade wood or underutilized species, or new technology solutions to improve forest management or supply chain challenges.
The 2026 cohort will be in Vermont for their first in-person sprint in mid-September, and we want them to engage with our industry. So on Day 1 of the Summit, they will be presenting their business cases in front of a live audience (you!) for the first time. We’re excited to give them an opportunity to mingle with industry leaders, and for our industry to be exposed to some promising new forest-based businesses.
Another new element – we are formally requesting proposals for Summit sessions. We want to use this annual event to showcase new ideas that can address the challenges laid out in the Vermont Forest Future Strategic Roadmap and related regional forest economy challenges and opportunities. If you have something you want to present, or a topic you want to explore, we welcome you to submit a proposal by May 15. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the details nailed down. Just fill out this simple form with information about your session proposal, and our Summit Planning Committee will review it. We will notify those whose proposals are selected by the end of May.
About the Vermont Forest Innovation Summit, the Forest Business Accelerator and VSJF
Vermont’s forest economy contributes more than $2.1 billion in direct economic output and provides more than 14,000 jobs in forestry, logging, processing, specialty woodworking, construction, wood heating and maple production. The Vermont Forest Innovation Summit creates space for strong relationships and collaboration throughout the industry and promotes the development of new and existing markets for Vermont wood products.
Committed to nurturing the sustainable development of Vermont’s economy, VSJF provides business assistance, network development, strategic planning, and supply chain coordination in agriculture and food systems, forest and fiber products, renewable energy, environmental technology, and waste management sectors. Learn more at www.vsjf.org.
VSJF is the proud home of the Forest Business Accelerator, a 4-month program for entrepreneurs seeking to commercialize new or improved products or services in the forest and wood products industry. www.forestaccelerator.com.
