Rensselaer, IN — The Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Ag Accelerator (KIRAG) is inviting proposals from qualified organizations and consultants to help deliver a new series of workshops and technical assistance aimed at strengthening food-based businesses and small producers across Northwest Indiana.
KIRAG was formed in response to a shared challenge facing rural communities across the region: while agriculture is a defining economic and cultural strength, too much of its value leaves the region before it creates lasting local impact. The Ag Accelerator brings together eight counties to take a coordinated, regional approach to agriculture-based economic development—one that moves beyond production alone and focuses on value-added processing, local food systems, entrepreneurship, and long-term resilience.
The Ag Accelerator’s regional strategy was shaped by extensive local input from farmers, producers, economic developers, and community leaders. It is built around four core goals:
- Supporting food and agriculture entrepreneurs at all stages of growth
- Expanding market access and local processing opportunities
- Strengthening the regional food system to keep more economic value local
- Positioning Northwest Indiana as a competitive, innovative rural food economy
As part of this strategy, KIRAG is launching a new initiative focused on practical, hands-on support for food entrepreneurs, growers, and producers. The selected partner will help deliver workshop series designed to meet people where they are—whether they are testing a new product, navigating food safety requirements, exploring scale-up options, or seeking new markets for locally grown or produced foods.
The workshops will emphasize real-world application, regional assets, and one-on-one technical guidance. Participants will gain tools to build sustainable business models, understand regulatory and food safety considerations, evaluate production and processing pathways, and identify opportunities for growth within the regional food system.
“This work is about more than individual businesses,” said Sara DeYoung, Executive Director of Jasper County Economic Development and lead administrator for the Ag Accelerator. “It’s about creating pathways so local talent, local food, and local ideas can turn into lasting economic opportunity across our rural communities.”
Proposals are due Friday, February 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CST. Full details, including scope of work and submission requirements, are available in the complete RFP found here.
Questions may be directed to Sara DeYoung at (219) 866-3080.