🚀 Take advantage of CAIC's discounted Grant Writing services for USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant. Apply now! 🌱📈

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Producers Growth Program

Join our six-month Producers Growth Program to get the knowledge, resources, and tools to scale your businesses. Through one-on-one advising sessions, classes taught by subject matter experts, and hands-on assignments, you’ll develop and execute your scaling strategy.

The Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC) is a non-profit supporting Delmarva's farmers, value-added producers, and food and beverage manufacturers. Through access to training, consulting, and capital.

HOW DO WE DO IT?

Educating producers at all stages. From our idea-stage Startup Program to our scaling-focused Producers Growth Program, we’ll equip you with the skills you need.

 

Connecting farmers and entrepreneurs. Connect with and learn from a vibrant community of fellow business owners through our programs.

 

Empowering business growth. Our team of advisors offer funding assistance, market research, business planning, and other services tailored to your needs.

RECENT blog postS

Santa Gourdy Picture

“Santa Gourdy”: A Value-Added Holiday Decoration

“Santa Gourdy, hurry down the chimney tonight…”   CAIC social media director Pam Foulke loves to get into the holiday spirit by crafting her own decorations from local produce (see, for example, the terrifying pumpkin monster that she made for Halloween). And with Christmas quickly

Coming Up at CAIC: Get Ready for AgriBiz Hub!

Get ready for a new space to learn, connect, and grow!    In less than two months, the CAIC team will officially be launching AgriBiz Hub, an on-demand training and networking platform for farmers, value-added producers, and food and beverage manufacturers in the Delmarva region.

CAIC in the Community: The 2023 Rural Summit

It’s been a very busy fall here at CAIC, with program kickoffs, farmers markets, curriculum  development for new programs, and much more keeping us occupied. We’ve also gotten the chance to connect with some of the phenomenal people and organizations that share our goal of

FUNDERS

These Partners Help Bring Entrepreneurship and Innovation to the Delmarva region.

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ADVISORS and trainers

GET TO KNOW OUR business advisors and trainers WHOSE EXPERIENCE AND INSIGHTS help BUSINESSES WORK.

PROGRAMS

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP YOUR BUSINESSES COMMERCIALIZE AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS.

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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.

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.