Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center
Awards First Mini-Grants to Value-Added Producers

The Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) has announced the six participants in the Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC)’s “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” program who have been awarded mini-grants by the program.

“These six businesses produce interesting and marketable value-added products,” said Mike Thielke, ESEC Executive Director. “The mini-grants we are awarding them will help with their marketing and communication efforts to further spread the word and educate consumers about their products.”

The owners of the six businesses participated in and completed the four-part “Business Solutions for Value-Added Producers” program offered by CAIC in the Fall of 2021 and the Spring of 2022. The program will be offered again in the Fall of 2022.

Mini-grant recipient Deborah Mizeur of Apotheosis Farm in Chestertown will use her grant for market research and target market validation.

“Like many small farmers we have struggled to find a path to financial viability that supports our vision,” Mizeur said recently. “The technical, marketing, and regulatory support we have received from CAIC has helped us chart a sustainable future for our boutique offerings and has given us meaningful insights on how to bring our medicinal herbs into the Value-Added Agricultural economy.”

The six recipients, their locations, and their products are listed below.

1.     Natalie Beneventi; Beneventi Botanicals; Chester, Maryland. All organic artisanal preserves, herbal teas, herbal preparation kits, and herbal body care.

2.     Tom Cropper; Cropper’s Farm LLC; Hebron, Maryland. Fresh and frozen Spirulina.

3.      Liz Dodson; The Kombucha Lady; Rocky Ridge, Maryland. Kombucha on tap on the farm, in local cafes, and at the markets, festivals, and other events.

4.     Deborah Mizeur; Apotheosis Farm; Chestertown, Maryland. Medicinal herbs, salves, tinctures, balms, and other natural remedy products.

5.     Scott Sanders; Tobacco Barn Distillery; Hollywood, Maryland. Bourbon and Bourbon Cream from corn grown on the Distillery farm.

6.     Laurie Savage; Brown Cow Creamery at Savage Acres Farm; Dickerson, Maryland.
Cheese made from the milk of the farm’s grassfed dairy cows; grassfed beef and pork; and milled cornmeal and flours.

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 CAIC and F3 Tech, a program that focuses bringing technology solutions to the Farm, Fish, and Food industries.

20 Women Who Are Making Waves in Whiskey

March 29, 2022
Tyler Chin
Gear Patrol

From presidents and founders to master blenders and distillers, Gear Patrol highlights 20 women who are making waves in the whiskey industry.

Our very own Monica Pearce, founder and owner of Tenth Ward Distilling Company is featured in this awesome roundup!

We are proud to see a Maryland distillery owner included in this list of women getting well-deserved recognition.

Monica Pearce, Tenth Ward Distilling Company

Monica Pearce opened Tenth Ward in her hometown of Frederick, Maryland, after working in the environmental science field. Tenth Ward produces all kinds of spirits, like gin, whiskey and absinthe, as well as canned cocktails. And using her degree in environmental science and policy, Pearce aims to ensure that all of the practices at the distillery are sustainable.

To read the remainder of the article, please visit Gear Patrol here.

Seasonal Weekend Festival/Event Staff Needed

Description:
We are looking for fun and energetic individuals willing to work weekend festivals and events across the state of Maryland during the months of April-October.

Duties Include:

• Event set-up and breakdown
• Volunteer management
• Event management
• Event support
• Vendor management
• Admissions management
• Checking IDs
• Crowd control
• Spirits check
• Ice delivery
• More duties as necessary

Skills:
We are looking for eager individuals who are able to take initiative and manage others.

• Leadership
• Team player
• Problem-solving
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently

Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry 40lbs+
• Ability to work the duration of a long event
• Travel is required! Must have a dependable vehicle and be willing to travel up to 2+ hours away
• Must be 21 years of age, or older
• Must be willing to attend staff training
• Must be able to commit to 3+ events annually

Compensation & Additional Information:

• Pay is $15/hr
• No prior event experience is required
• Event staff will receive alcohol awareness training.
• Staff will also receive event logistics training
• Position is seasonal; April-October
• Events can be held on Friday, Saturdays and/or Sundays

If you are interested in this position, please submit your inquiry and resumé HERE.

Bringing Rye Back To Baltimore with Brian Treacy and Ryan Norwood of Sagamore Spirit (Bourbon Pursuit #341)

The following is the episode summary from the Bourbon Pursuit, via The Whiskey Wash.

Rye whiskey production had a historic past in the northeastern states, especially Pennsylvania and Maryland. And now Sagamore Spirit based in Baltimore is bringing rye whiskey back. Ryan and I traveled to record this interview with their CEO, Brian Tracey, and their Director of Operations, Ryan Norwood. We uncover Brian’s unique past of how a phone call with Kevin Plank, the CEO of Under Armor, would take him from running a backpacking and kayaking company in Flagstaff Arizona to building a new distillery from the ground up. One of Brian’s tasks was to find a distiller and that led to a few conversations with Ryan Norwood, a young guy who was really into yeast and beers. Sagamore had a longstanding relationship with MGP but now they have their own Maryland rye distillate and we talk about how they shaped and revitalized the Maryland rye category.

Listen to the episode here.

“Opinion: Maryland’s temporary liquor laws helped save businesses, and that’s good for all” – Washington Post

January 21, 2022

Opinion: Len Foxwell

Washington Post

Len N. Foxwell, a strategic consultant, was chief of staff to the Maryland comptroller from 2008 to 2020.

“Opinion: Maryland’s temporary liquor laws helped save businesses, and that’s good for all” – Washington PostIn 2020, Maryland was among several states to relax their alcohol distribution and retail laws because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Having worked with the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan (R) to craft the executive orders that suspended prohibitions on the carryout and direct delivery of alcohol from restaurants and the arcane and inexplicable limits on sales at craft breweries, I believe the continuation of these temporary policies would be good for the state.

Untested theories and personal anecdotes from opponents can insinuate a causal relationship. To be sure, some will attempt to make those connections in the coming months in an effort to curtail or eliminate these vital relief measures. However, there is no statistical evidence whatsoever to confirm that alcohol consumption and binge drinking increased as a direct result of the steps that were taken to save local businesses during an unprecedented crisis…

To continue reading, please visit the Washington Post.

Sip and Bite Encounters with Lynne O’Meara: BlueDyer Distilling Co. is serving up delicious food!

December 7, 2021

Lynne O’Meara

The Southern Maryland Chronicle

If you have never been, or haven’t been in a while, you need to go check out the amazing craft cocktails and food being served at BlueDyer Distilling!

When I first met owners Ryan Vierheller and Walker Dunbar, almost seven years ago, they had just opened and were only distilling one rum. How far they have come. Now they are distilling Rum, Gin, Whiskey, Vodka! Amazing!

I have written about BlueDyer several times because it’s one of my favorite places! I am impressed with some of our local entrepreneurs who figure out how to make their businesses work, even during difficult times. Ryan and Walker fall into this category.

Recent additions to the offerings are the two food trucks. The first truck they opened was the Chuck Wagon. It serves fantastic tacos, burritos, and nachos! Their new food truck is Grace and Soul, where they serve wonderful southern delicacies. It’s a perfect place to have special cocktails and fabulous food, in a comfortable, fun setting.

To continue reading, visit the Southern Maryland Chronicle.

Tenth Ward Distilling Company Now Shipping Direct to Consumer in MD and DC, November 2021

Now offering shipping to customers who want to order spirits and canned cocktails direct to their residence

FREDERICK, MD. (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Tenth Ward Distilling Company now shipping direct to consumer for residents located in MD and DC, November 2021.

Tenth Ward Distilling Company, having opened its doors in July of 2016, is now offering shipping to customers who want to order spirits and canned cocktails direct to their residence. Tenth Ward is able to take advantage of the new direct to consumer (DTC) allowances that were put into place in the state of Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since there are only a small number of states allowing DTC for spirit shipping, Tenth Ward is opening shipping options only to Maryland and DC at the moment.

Those ordering shipping directly to their residence can find Tenth Ward’s year-round products available on their website – https://www.tenthwarddistilling.com/shipping/. There will also be seasonal and holiday gift items available for shipping between late November and early January.

Customers can choose to have items shipped direct to their residence where they must be home at the time or delivery, or they can select the nearest UPS location from their home where packages will be held for pick up. Valid ID with proof of age for 21 and over is required to sign for any shipped packages.

Tenth Ward is proud to be woman-owned. Everything we make is non-traditional and unconventional, which is why we live fearlessly by our slogan – #wardoffordinary.