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New Virtual Presentations for Agriculture Value-Added Producers

HAGERSTOWN, MD (February 2, 2022) – The Washington County Department of Business Development shares the following information about the Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center presenting new virtual presentations for agriculture and aquaculture value-added producers in Maryland and Delaware. 
 
EASTON, Md; January 20, 2022 – Mike Thielke, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC), announced today that a new session of Virtual Presentations (VPs) presented by the Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC) will begin on February 8. These presentations are part of CAIC’s “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” Program – a four-part program that provides agriculture and aquaculture value-added producers in Maryland and Delaware with the tools to scale their businesses, expand production, maximize their marketing efforts, and increase revenue and profits.    
 
“We are pleased that our first session of Virtual Presentations in the Fall had such great support from the CAIC Participants,” Thielke said. “The February session offers valuable information for our current Participants and for the newly-registered cohort.” 
 
Below is the schedule and subjects for the new session of Virtual Presentations; each will be held via a ZOOM link from 12 NOON to 1:30 PM. 
 
  • VP #1 – Developing and Writing Your Business Plan – Tuesday, February 8th 
  • VP #2 – Funding Sources for Value-Added Producers — Wednesday, February 9th 
  • VP #3 – Regulations 101; Processes, Licenses, and Permits — Thursday, February 10th 
  • VP #4 – Creating Your Marketing Plan and Vision — Tuesday, February 15th 
  • VP #5 – Developing and Positioning Your Brand — Wednesday, February 16th 
  • VP #6 – Identifying B2B and B2C Growth Opportunities — Thursday, February 17th 
 
Attendance at one or more VP is the first step in CAIC’s “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” Program. The next required steps in the program are meeting with a Mentor and consulting with Subject Matter Experts. Participants then will be eligible to apply for a CAIC Mini-Grant to help with marketing activities or for attending Food Safety Classes. 
 
Value-added producers in Maryland and Delaware can register as a “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” Program participant on the CAIC Web site: CAIC.ORG
 
–END– 
 
About CAIC: The Chesapeake Agricultural Innovation Center (CAIC) was established in late 2020 as a new program of ESEC’s F3 Tech initiative to expand F3 Tech’s focus on food technology. CAIC is funded by a two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  
 
About ESEC: The Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Easton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with a mission to educate and support entrepreneurs. Its initiatives include F3 Tech, a program that focuses bringing technology solutions to the Farm, Fish, and Food industries.  
 
For questions or additional information, please contact Agricultural Business Specialist Leslie Hart, at 240-313-2284 or [email protected].
 
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