Massachusetts Agriculture Innovation Center
About Us
The Massachusetts Agriculture Innovation Center (MAAIC), housed under the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, is a network of business-assistance providers across the Commonwealth that helps farms and other value-added producers launch and scale new product ventures. We offer one-on-one business coaching, access to funding, and industry connections, serving as a hub connecting producers with the services they need to succeed. Collectively, MAAIC partners have supported hundreds of farms with product development, business planning, food safety and regulatory compliance. Do you want to turn your harvest into value-added products?
Services
Do you want to turn your harvest into value-added products, but not sure where to begin? Already making a value-added product, but want to scale up your business? Contact our team to get support with:
- Product development and production
- Cost analysis and pricing
- Financial analysis and planning, including access to capital
- Sales and distribution
- Regulatory compliance and food safety
- Branding and marketing
Providers & Partners
Franklin County Community Development Corporation and the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center
Located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and serving five counties in western Massachusetts, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC) is an economic development nonprofit providing business development education, access to capital, and commercial office and manufacturing space. It works to help entrepreneurs who live or work in Massachusetts minimize their risks by connecting them to resources to maximize their success. It is home to the Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center (WMFPC), which supports new and growing food businesses. The WMFPC offers rental manufacturing space and co-packing services to farm and food businesses in the Commonwealth and beyond. In addition, its team provides one-on-one counseling services to help businesses with product development, regulatory compliance, food safety, and business planning. Its mission is to promote economic development through entrepreneurship, provide opportunities for sustaining local agriculture, and promote best practices for food producers.
The Carrot Project
The Carrot Project offers one-on-one business assistance aimed at helping farmers and food business owners achieve greater financial management expertise and confidence in making business decisions that lead to long-term business success. The Carrot Project works to build a more equitable farm and food system that creates economic, environmental, and social well-being.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
From starting a new farm to marketing and expanding an existing one, CISA offers a wide range of assistance to farmers and other Local Hero members: workshops, one-on-one consulting, online resources, and more. CISA strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
New Entry, an initiative of Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, works locally, regionally, and across the country to strengthen local food systems by supporting new farmers. We serve and collaborate with the people, communities, and organizations in Massachusetts, the Northeast, and beyond! New Entry offers workshops and trainings for beginner farmers in eastern Massachusetts.
Resources
Contact Us
To get connected with one-on-one assistance, please fill out this form.
Collaborators
The Massachusetts Agriculture Innovation Center serves farms and local food producers and is a program of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation.
324 Wells Street, Greenfield MA 01301
Tricia Wancko, Director
413-774-7204 ext. 116
Funding for this project is made possible by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Agriculture Innovation Center Grant. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.