Over the last 14 years, Vermont has seen the number of distilleries grow from three to 28–an 833% increase. Such successful growth naturally leads to growth in related businesses. More distilleries means there’s a big need for oak barrels, and Vermont is now home to a new cooperage. Green Mountain Grain & Barrel, founded by three veterans in 2016, is the first such business to open in the state in 20 years. The laborious craftsmanship that goes into building barrels is a labor of love for the owners. And with help from the state’s Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, Green Mountain Grain & Barrel is preparing to grow.