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Our team

Caic team banner

Core Team

Chelsea Roseberry

Director

Chelsea oversees all CAIC programs, services, and operations. She leads the team, manages strategic partnerships, and ensures program quality and financial sustainability. Chelsea focuses on delivering real, measurable results for farmers and agricultural businesses.

Emiliano Espinosa

Special Projects Manager

Emiliano supports CAIC through special projects that strengthen programs and services. With a specialty in bookkeeping, he helps farmers and agricultural businesses build strong financial systems. Emiliano also assists with strategic initiatives.

Madison Hugo

Webinar Coordinator

Madison leads CAIC’s monthly webinar series, bringing experts to deliver valuable sessions for the farming community. She curates topics that address current challenges and opportunities in agriculture, ensuring participants gain practical knowledge and insights to strengthen their businesses.

YSABEL SANCHEZ

Marketing Coordinator

Ysabel ensures a smooth experience for all CAIC program participants. She provides course support, assisting with registrations, communications, and materials. Additionally, she leads marketing efforts to promote CAIC’s services and maintain consistent branding across all platforms.

Ivan Esala

Participant Success Coordinator

Ivan serves as the first point of contact for new and returning CAIC participants. He connects with leads, guides them through registration, and follows up after program completion to check progress and offer ongoing support. His role ensures participants stay engaged from start to finish.

Alice Chalmers

Alice Chalmers

Strategic Advisor

Alice provides high-level strategic guidance for CAIC’s Value-Chain Coordination Program. She helps connect farmers, processors, and buyers, fostering partnerships that strengthen local food systems. Alice advises on program development and ensures alignment with industry needs and market opportunities.

Mike Thielke

Executive Director

Mike provides overall leadership for the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) and its initiatives, including CAIC. As Executive Director, he drives strategic vision, builds partnerships, and creates opportunities that promote economic development across the region.

Lindsay Gilmour

Food Safety Trainer

Lindsay leads CAIC’s Food Safety Training program, helping farmers and producers implement best practices to meet regulatory requirements. She provides practical guidance on developing food safety plans, ensuring participants understand and apply the necessary standards to operate safely and confidently.

Amanda Vicari

Value-Chain Coordinator

Amanda leads the day-to-day coordination of CAIC’s Value-Chain Program, working directly with farmers, processors, and buyers to build strong market connections. Collaborating closely with Strategic Advisor Alice Chalmers, Amanda facilitates partnerships, manages relationships, and ensures that value-chain projects move forward effectively and deliver real results.

Stasia Greenewalt

Outreach Coordinator

Stasia leads outreach for CAIC programs across the region, connecting farmers and food producers to CAIC’s services and expertise. With experience in produce farming, food hubs, and food safety consulting, she’s passionate about helping farms grow their markets and strengthen operations. Stasia is currently focused on recruiting for CAIC’s Farm Mentorship Program launching in 2026.

Program collaborators

AL RENZI

Seasonal Instructor

Created a successful artisanal goat cheese business and Grade A yogurt operation; provides consulting services to aspiring value-added producers.

ALEYA FRASER

Producer Safety Trainer

Farmer and consultant specializing in sustainability, holistic farm planning, and other areas.

KIMBERLY RAIKES

Product Safety Trainer

Kimberly provides training and guidance on food safety practices for farmers and value-added producers.

JEFF LANDSMAN

Subject Matter Expert

Veteran food broker, manufacturer, importer, and distributor throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

CATHERINE RENZI

Seasonal Instructor

Created a successful artisanal goat cheese business and Grade A yogurt operation; provides consulting services to aspiring value-added producers.

Board of Advisors

The members of our Board of Advisors all play leading roles in the region’s agricultural industry. At CAIC, they help guide our development and growth as an organization.

Audrey Broomfield

Marketing Specialist

Maryland Department of Agriculture

George Class-Peters, Jr.

Deputy Principal Assistant (Policy Analyst)

Delaware Department of Agriculture

Donald Webster

Chair

Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council

Roxanne Wolf

Community Liaison

Shore Gourmet

Lindsay Thompson

Executive Director

Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board

Shelby Watson-Hampton

Director

Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Corporation

Dave Marvel

Vice President

Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware

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