Agricultural Loan Program
In his first year in business, Ethan Gevry of Gevry Firewood sold 1,200 cords. This year, he more than doubled sales.
The goal is to reach 10,000 cords per year sold by 2026.
Given the demand, the effects of COVID-19 and more time spent at home for many Vermonters, they’re on track to reach this goal.
Because of financing received from VEDA, Gevry has been able to grow his own business and simultaneously support other Vermonters working in the forestry industry.
Stopping by the business’ base in Addison, the year-round work that goes into firewood production is evident — Gevry pulls in with a huge truck, his wife Ashley helps fill another with pre-measured crates and the smell of cut-and-dried wood pleasantly wafts through the air. Ashley flits across the top of a wood-filled truck gracefully while another staffer goes to grab the next load.
Unlike many businesses, Gevry’s saw a boom during the pandemic. Remote workers and the desire for people to stay in meant they needed to keep their homes warm for longer periods of time.
“COVID-19 has had a huge positive impact on my business,” he said. “It’s got more people home enjoying a fire or heating their home all day with wood heat versus just the evening and overnight hours.”
Leisure firewood sales — campfire bundles for state parks and amatuer chefs using grills or smokers — have jumped too.
Since starting in 2021, with just one processor and a small six-cord kiln, Gevry has seen a steady incline. The family-owned business has added another kiln that can hold 12 cords and a second processor.
“If VEDA didn’t exist, I might not be where I am today,” Gevry said; VEDA lends with trust in where his business is headed, versus where it has already been like a more traditional bank might. “They are great with helping me meet the needs of the growing pains of my business as I scale up and increase production.”
VEDA, he said, has been with him every step of the way, helping secure funding for new equipment and operating costs to purchase inventory during slow months and more.
In addition to its own growth, Gevry understands the importance of helping other Vermont businesses — loggers, log-haulers and more — by paying fair prices, without the roller coaster rates that many sawmills have to follow, for wood and keeping the “big picture” in mind.
“By growing, it allowed me to create jobs and put more money back into my local economy.”
~ Ethan Gevry
