Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center https://caic.org/ Developing new technologies in agriculture and aquaculture on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:57:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://caic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/caicicon-150x150.png Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center https://caic.org/ 32 32 Preparing for Farmers’ Markets in 2026: How to Get Accepted and Succeed https://caic.org/preparing-for-farmers-markets-in-2026-how-to-get-accepted-and-succeed/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:36:34 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=8445 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...

The post Preparing for Farmers’ Markets in 2026: How to Get Accepted and Succeed appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> Alumni Spotlight: Treasured Roots Farm https://caic.org/alumni-spotlight-treasured-roots-farm/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:58:43 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=8434 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...

The post Alumni Spotlight: Treasured Roots Farm appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> How Composting Can Help Producers Transform Ag Waste into Profits https://caic.org/composting-for-farmers-turn-ag-waste-into-profit/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 19:13:43 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=8382 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...

The post How Composting Can Help Producers Transform Ag Waste into Profits appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> Is Late Spring/Early Summer the Best Time to Start a Farming Business? https://caic.org/is-late-spring-early-summer-the-best-time-to-start-a-farming-business/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:31:37 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=8091 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...

The post Is Late Spring/Early Summer the Best Time to Start a Farming Business? appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> 5 Reasons Why Food Entrepreneurs Should Attend Producers Unveiled 2025 https://caic.org/producers-unveiled-2025-reasons-to-attend/ Fri, 30 May 2025 22:23:11 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=8079 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 Galbraith Gayle Galbraith,...

The post 5 Reasons Why Food Entrepreneurs Should Attend Producers Unveiled 2025 appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> Catfish with a Cause: Inside CAIC’s Producers Unveiled 2025 https://caic.org/catfish-with-a-cause-inside-caics-producers-unveiled-demo/ Fri, 16 May 2025 19:35:31 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=8039 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 post Catfish with a Cause: Inside CAIC’s Producers Unveiled 2025 appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> Let’s Eat, CAIC: A Vibrant Summer Cheese Board https://caic.org/lets-eat-caic-a-vibrant-summer-cheese-board/ Mon, 24 Jun 2024 05:06:40 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=6832 Summer is officially here in the Delmarva region, and there are few things that pair better with sunny weather (and outdoor cocktails) than a local cheese board. Need some inspiration? In the latest installment of our “Let’s Eat, CAIC” series, which highlights different ways to...

The post Let’s Eat, CAIC: A Vibrant Summer Cheese Board appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water: What You Need to Know https://caic.org/fsma-final-rule-on-pre-harvest-agricultural-water-what-you-need-to-know/ Mon, 03 Jun 2024 22:15:13 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=6790 On May 8, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule that (per the agency) “revises certain pre-harvest agricultural water provisions for covered produce (other than sprouts) in Subpart E of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.” Confused by...

The post FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water: What You Need to Know appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> Let’s Eat, CAIC: Brunch-Ready Sweet and Savory Crepes https://caic.org/lets-eat-caic-brunch-ready-sweet-and-savory-crepes/ Wed, 29 May 2024 23:18:51 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=6720 When it comes to brunch food, we all know it can be difficult to choose between a sweet dish and a savory one. But why not both? Look no further than the latest installment of our “Let’s Eat, CAIC” series, which highlights different ways to...

The post Let’s Eat, CAIC: Brunch-Ready Sweet and Savory Crepes appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]> How Could an Apprentice Help Your Farm? https://caic.org/how-could-an-apprentice-help-your-farm/ Tue, 07 May 2024 03:13:20 +0000 https://caic.org/?p=6295 In honor of Youth Apprenticeship Week, learn more about CAIC’s partners at the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC). Are you a Maryland farmer or value-added producer looking for additional hired help on your farm? Whether you’re in search of someone to work the register at farmers...

The post How Could an Apprentice Help Your Farm? appeared first on Chesapeake Ag Innovation Center.

]]>