🚀 Join CAIC to celebrate Delmarva agriculture at Producers Unveiled 2024! Register now. 🌱📈

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The Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC)

is a non-profit supporting Delmarva farmers and value-added producers. Through training, consulting, and capital, we’re here to help you grow your company.

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Cultivating Success: Nurturing Agricultural Entrepreneurs

From ideation to scaling, we're here to support your agribusiness growth.

Educating producers at all stages


From our idea-stage Startup Program to our scaling-focused Producers Growth Program, we equip producers with essential skills.

Connecting farmers and entrepreneurs

Connect and collaborate with a vibrant community of fellow producers through our programs and online AgriBiz Hub

EMPOWERING BUSINESS GROWTH

We offer funding assistance, market research, business planning, and other services tailored to individual needs

A Program for Every Stage of Agribusiness Growth

Unlock your potential with our tailored programs designed to support farmers, value-added producers, and entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

PRODUCERS STARTUP PROGRAM

Ready to take the first step toward your agribusiness goals? Start here. From doing effective market research to formally establishing your company, you’ll build a foundation for success through our free Producers Startup Program.

DEVELOPING SUCCESSFUL VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS

What if you could transform your ideas and agricultural commodities into new, commercially viable products? Learn how and explore opportunities during our free six-week, immersive workshop, From Ideas to Profits: Developing Successful Value-Added Products.

EMERGING BUSINESS PROGRAM

Designed for companies that are beyond the startup phase, but still in the early stages of growth, the Emerging Business Program will help you build sustainable structures and address issues before you scale.

PRODUCERS GROWTH PROGRAM

Are you ready to scale your company? Take your agribusiness to new heights with the Producers Growth Program. Through one-on-one advising, classes taught by subject matter experts, and hands-on assignments, you’ll develop and execute an effective scaling strategy.

Find your community on AgriBiz Hub

Learn, connect, and grow in our vibrant community of farmers and producers.

Welcome to our on-demand training and networking platform exclusively for Delmarva farmers, value-added producers, and entrepreneurs!

 

Learn new skills on your own time with interactive content from CAIC courses.  Connect and collaborate with your fellow farmers and producers through our community features. Grow your network and tap into valuable resources with our comprehensive directory of regional organizations and services. Join for free today!

Join The Conversation

CAIC Newsroom

FUNDERS

A special thanks to our funders for their generous support of Delmarva agricultural entrepreneurs.

MINI-GRANTs

Mini-Grants up to $5,000 are available for:
– Market Research and Validation of Target Market
– Customer Acquisition
– Product Development Initiatives
– Food Safety Classes
Eligibility
Value-added producers and companies with traction ($20,000 or more in yearly revenue) in Maryland and Delaware are eligible to apply for Mini-Grants. Participants may apply once for each of the categories. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a unique and differentiated product or service that incorporates an aspect of innovation or technology in its production, processing, distribution, or other element of the food supply system.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Award decisions will be made and funds will be available no later than three weeks following the receipt of a completed application.
Application Process
Applicants must submit Mini-Grant proposals by filling out the form at this link. Copy(ies) of quote(s), proposal(s), estimate(s), or any other supporting documents.

MINI GRANT APPLICATION

ACCESS TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS (SMES)

CAIC offers access to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who can offer authoritative advice based on their deep knowledge and experience in a specific area. See the ADVISORS page of this Web site to learn more about the SMEs who are available to CAIC participants.

Register For The CAIC