Maine’s abundant land and talented farmers/makers/entrepreneurs are creating a vibrant context for further growth in the Agricultural sector. The resources below highlight many of the many programs, funding opportunities, and networking opportunities.
The Domestic Trade Pilot Program created a comprehensive look at the Food, Seafood, Wholesale Food, and Food Manufacturing sector in this report: A comprehensive report on Agriculture, Seafood, Food Manufacturing and Wholesale (PDF). In February 2022, DECD commissioned a report on Food Manufacturing (PDF).
Resources
Maine Building Opens Applications for the 2024 Season!
We are pleased to announce applications are open to Maine brands, businesses and promotional groups who want to join us for the Big E Fair in September 2024. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry's Maine Building, on the grounds of the Eastern States Exhibition in West Springfield, MA, is a unique venue that brings together a team of Exhibitors from Maine to help showcase the best of Maine to thousands of fairgoers.
More information is available on the DACF website. An informational webinar will be held on December 12 at 10 a.m. Register to attend or receive a recording. Email ACFBigE@Maine.gov
July 2023 - Food and Beverage Funding and Market Expansion Webinar (1 hour)
CEI Sustainable Agriculture Food Program - Free business advising as well as financing opportunities for agricultural & food-related enterprises
- Maine Tastemakers Initiative - Offers financing, consulting, networking, and market analytics opportunities to help food and beverage companies grow
FocusMaine is a statewide economic development organization that works to create quality jobs and build a thriving workforce. With an emphasis on innovation and future readiness, they work in partnerships to accelerate Maine’s food economy and bioeconomy, generating opportunity and prosperity for Maine’s people, businesses, and communities.
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs
- MCE Top Gun Program - A 15 week learning experience and competition for entrepreneurs with the desire to grow. The winner(s) gets a check for $25,000.
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MCE Cultivator Program - Hurdle strategic barriers and expand your business to scale with Maine’s first food, beverage, and agriculture scale-up accelerator program.
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MCE MarketShare Accel Program - Value-added producers can gain access to industry/market data, professional coaching, and tailored assessments to better understand their business and its needs.
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*NEW* August 2023 - MCE FoodTech Maine Program - The FoodTech Maine program connects and fosters collaboration among early-stage and mid-sized companies with a product or service that utilizes technology, innovation, or science in the AgriFood industry.
Maine Farm and Seafood Products Directory - In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased demand for local produce and seafood has resulted in adaptive farm-to-table strategies across the state. To expand consumer access to your operation, add your listing to this interactive producer map presented by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association is a business trade association representing main street businesses: independently owned and operated grocery stores, supermarkets, food and beverage producers and processors, wholesalers and distributors and allied service companies.
Real Maine - Promoting Maine agricultural products and services to consumers under a unified banner
SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance Program (TAP) - If you’re in need of high-risk, early stage technology financing, MTI’s TAP program offers funding and technical assistance to help you craft your winning proposal.
Grants & Loans
Agricultural Development Fund - Cost-share grants to increase market knowledge, improve processing capabilities, and more
Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund - Need financing for a project? AMLF can help finance your idea and improve your enterprise’s manufacturing, marketing, and production capabilities.
MAINE TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE (MTI)
MTI offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to support Maine’s innovation economy. They support new ideas, products, and methods with the potential to grow and diversify Maine’s economy and increase the number of quality jobs throughout the state through direct support of innovators, programs, and infrastructure that encourage innovation.
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center Grants - Offers grants to dairy farmers, processors, and service providers, example programs include innovation, agritourism, and marketing; please visit their website to review current and upcoming grant programs
Potato Marketing Improvement Fund - Low interest financing to improve the potato industry's marketability, quality, and economic feasibility
USDA Farmer's Market Promotion Program - Funds projects that aid local and regional consumer access to agricultural products
USDA Local Food Promotion Program - The LFPP seeks to foster local agricultural systems infrastructure, funding projects that foster the capabilities of business enterprises that actively coordinate and connect consumers to their regional and local producers.
USDA Regional Food System Partnerships - This program builds the bridge between private and public resources with an aim to bolster local food economies and eliminate needless technical and administrative barriers.
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program - This is a competitive grant program, solicited once a year, which funds market research, market promotion and new technology projects specifically to benefit specialty crop producers.
USDA Value Added Producer Grant - Helps value-added agricultural producers enter value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products, via generating new products, developing and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income.