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CAIC Blog

Preparing for Farmers’ Markets in 2026: How to Get Accepted and Succeed
Farmers’ markets continue to grow in popularity, offering small farms and food businesses a direct way to connect with local customers. But getting into the best markets isn’t as simple as showing up with your products—the application process is competitive, and preparation is key. If you’re planning ...
September 22, 2025
Alumni Spotlight: Treasured Roots Farm
Rooted in Family, Growing for the Future In the rolling hills of Frederick County, Maryland, Treasured Roots Farm is rewriting the story of what local agriculture can look like. Led by Laura Kefauver, a CAIC Value-Added Program alum, this family-run farm is cultivating European black...
September 22, 2025
How Composting Can Help Producers Transform Ag Waste into Profits
Composting isn’t just good for the environment — it can also be a profitable side or supplemental venture for farmers, ranchers, and small-scale food producers. From cattle ranchers and crop growers to breweries with spent grains, there are countless opportunities to turn agricultural waste into a hig...
August 15, 2025
Is Late Spring/Early Summer the Best Time to Start a Farming Business?
As late spring transitions into early summer, many aspiring farmers are asking the same question: Is now the best time to start a farm? The short answer—it depends. While the warmer months offer great conditions for planting and raising livestock, success depends on several key factors. In this articl...
June 18, 2025
5 Reasons Why Food Entrepreneurs Should Attend Producers Unveiled 2025
Producers Unveiled 2025 is just around the corner! This event will take place on June 4th, 2025 at Outstanding Dreams Alpaca Farm in Preston, Maryland. Wondering if you should attend? Check out the reasons why below! Reason 1: Engaging Keynote Speech Featuring Gayle Galbra...
May 30, 2025
Catfish with a Cause: Inside CAIC’s Producers Unveiled 2025
Producers Unveiled 2025 includes a catfish demo, but there’s a lot more to it than just getting a tastybite to eat. Blue and Flathead catfish are invasive species that have wreaked a tremendous amount of havoc on Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem for many years. In fact, the state just appointed ...
May 16, 2025
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Press Room

Podcast

Scott Sanders’s PODCAST
Botanicals offer natural ingredients for herbal teas, body care products, natural products for your home and garden, and many other items for people looking for products that are free from man-made chemical ingredients. Natalie Beneventi grows many of the ingredients she uses in her Beneventi Botanica…
July 29, 2022
Podcast: Natalie Beneventi’s
Botanicals offer natural ingredients for herbal teas, body care products, natural products for your home and garden, and many other items for people looking for products that are free from man-made chemical ingredients. Natalie Beneventi grows many of the ingredients she uses in her Beneventi Botanica…
July 29, 2022
Podcast: LIZ DODSON
Kombucha has made its mark on the wellness world for several years. Now it is becoming popular with consumers at all levels…and it has made its way to bars, coffee houses, breweries, distilleries, and wineries. Liz Dodson, the Kombucha Lady, sits downwith Emiliano Espinosa and host Muphen Whitne…
June 29, 2022
Podcast: LAURIE SAVAGE
Savage Acres Farm produces several types of meats and cheeses in one of the remaining protected areas for agriculture and farming in Montgomery County, Maryland.Come discover Savage Acres Farm as Laurie Savage, host Muphen Whitney, and Emiliano Espinosa discuss all the products produced on the Farm an…
June 29, 2022
Podcast: CROPPERS’ AND SPIRULINA
Spirulina may hold one of the keys to food insufficiency. This green alga has shown remarkable results in many scientific studies, and NASA uses it for astronauts’ nutrition in space. Find out more about this nutritious – and delicious – gift from the sea and how Tom and Tina Cropper are growing it in…
June 29, 2022
Podcast: Tom and Tina Croppers’ Spirulina Project
April 20, 2022

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