CAEP
CAEP is a non-profit international cultural exchange organization that sponsors J-1 visa exchange programs connecting young adults worldwide with U.S. farms, ranches, wineries, greenhouses, and equine operations across five training tracks.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersFergus Falls, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
CAEP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAEP
- Legal name
- CAEP
- Website
- https://caep.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- CAEP is a non-profit international cultural exchange organization that sponsors J-1 visa exchange programs connecting young adults worldwide with U.S. farms, ranches, wineries, greenhouses, and equine operations across five training tracks.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAEP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Exchange Programs
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Institutional Compliance & Sponsorship Management (SEVIS/CAS/CoE & equivalents) (EDAIADAC)
Keywords
Where CAEP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fergus Falls
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CAEP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Host Placement and Administrative Fees: CAEP charges hosts a $100 placement fee per exchange visitor plus a $75 monthly administrative fee per exchange visitor. These fees cover application processing, placement coordination, program monitoring, orientation, and ongoing support throughout the program.
- Government Visa Fees: Participants in the United States pay government-mandated fees including a SEVIS fee of $220 and an embassy appointment fee of $185. These fees are passed through to the U.S. government and are generally non-refundable.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Host fees - Placement and monthly administrative charges |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | U.S. participant government fees |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
CAEP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAEP is a designated J-1 visa sponsor that recruits young adults internationally and matches them with U.S. host farms, ranches, wineries, greenhouses, golf courses, and landscaping operations for paid cultural-exchange training placements. The organization runs five training tracks—Agriculture, Enology, Equine, Horticulture, and Turf Management—supplemented by outbound programs for U.S. citizens going abroad and domestic apprenticeship opportunities. CAEP handles application processing, SEVIS-based visa administration, training plan development, host matching, and ongoing program monitoring for a placement fee and monthly administrative fee paid by hosts.
Product overview
CAEP (Communicating for America Exchange Programs) operates a suite of international paid agriculture exchange programs organized into five core training tracks: Agriculture, Enology (winemaking), Equine, Horticulture, and Turf Management. The programs connect young adults (typically ages 18-28) from around the world with American host farms, ranches, wineries, greenhouses, and agricultural operations through J-1 visa cultural exchange programs. CAEP also offers outbound programs for U.S. citizens seeking experience abroad and domestic apprenticeship opportunities. The program provides structured training plans, visa processing through SEVIS, insurance coordination, and ongoing support including cultural events like CAEP Fest. The vision emphasizes interconnecting the world peacefully through agricultural exchange, helping participants identify as world citizens transcending geographical and cultural borders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Skillability: An online database to help hosts create training plans and track skills imparted during exchange programs.
Products and services
- Agriculture Training Program International paid training placements in general agriculture operations including swine, dairy, ranch/beef cattle, field crops, custom harvesting, vegetable production, and apiculture (beekeeping). Participants gain hands-on experience on American farms and ranches through J-1 visa exchange programs. Targets young adults aged 18-28 with practical experience or current agriculture program enrollment.
- Enology Training Program Wine cellar and viticulture training program enabling international participants to gain hands-on experience in American wineries. Covers wine production activities including crushing, fermentation, barrel work, and filtration. Age requirement is 21-35, wider than other programs. Placed at U.S. wineries including Tamber Bey, Maryhill, and Chateau Montelena.
- Equine Training Program International paid training placements in equine operations, providing cultural exchange and hands-on experience in horse-related agricultural settings in the United States. Year-long placements accepted throughout the year.
- Horticulture Training Program Greenhouse, nursery, landscaping, and plant production training placements. Includes potted plants, tomato greenhouses, tree nursery, and landscaping operations. Participants work alongside American horticultural professionals at operations such as Kurt Weiss Greenhouses, Bergen's Greenhouses, and The Chef's Garden.
- Turf Management Training Program Golf course and sports turf management training program for international participants seeking careers in turfgrass management. Provides hands-on experience at American golf courses and sports facilities.
- Outbound Program Program allowing U.S. citizens to gain agricultural experience abroad in countries including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, and Europe. Requires one year of domestic agricultural experience or documented education.
- Domestic Apprentice Program Apprenticeship opportunity for U.S. citizens seeking validated internships within the country. Targets domestic students and incumbent workers looking to enhance careers through further education and work experience.
Quantifiable outcome
- Exchange visitors develop internationally-validated skills and credentials that enhance career prospects in agriculture
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CAEP
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CAEP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
CAEP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- U.S. Department of StatecoreCAEP operates as a designated J-1 visa sponsor under the U.S. Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Robin Lerner and program analysts visited CAEP Fest 2014, meeting with trainees and praising the cultural exchange activities. CAEP must comply with SEVIS requirements and government regulations governing exchange visitor programs.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CAEP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cultural Vistas: Cultural Vistas administers J-1 internship and trainee programs with a similar fee structure, host application workflow, and SEVIS-based compliance footprint as CAEP.
- AIFS: AIFS runs cultural exchange and study abroad programs (including Au Pair in America), sharing CAEP's model of recruiting international participants and matching them to U.S. hosts.
- ASSE International Student Exchange: ASSE is a J-1 visa sponsor for high school and Work & Travel exchanges, comparable to CAEP on regulatory sponsorship and cross-border participant placement.
- CIEE: CIEE is one of the largest U.S. J-1 visa sponsors, operating Work & Travel, Internship, and Trainee programs that overlap directly with CAEP's cultural exchange and trainee placement model.
- InterExchange: InterExchange is a designated J-1 sponsor running Work & Travel, Au Pair, and Career Training programs with a placement-and-fee model directly comparable to CAEP's host-paid structure.
- Alliance Abroad Group: Alliance Abroad Group is a J-1 visa sponsor focused on Work & Travel, internship, and trainee placements, competing head-to-head for host relationships and international applicants.
- Greenheart Exchange: Greenheart Exchange is a designated J-1 sponsor running high school, Work & Travel, and intern programs; it overlaps with CAEP on international cultural exchange placement and host recruitment.
- Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA): MESA runs agriculture-focused international training and exchange programs, the closest niche competitor to CAEP's agricultural trainee placement offering.
- Intrax: Intrax is a J-1 sponsor (through its AuPairCare and Work Travel brands) operating cultural exchange programs with the same SEVIS-driven, host-paid business model as CAEP.
Broad incumbents
- World Learning: World Learning operates The Experiment in International Living and other broad international exchange and training programs, overlapping with CAEP on cross-border experiential education at greater scale and broader scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CAEP social profiles
Digital presenceCAEP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAEP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
CAEP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAEP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CAEP
What does CAEP do?
CAEP is a designated J-1 visa sponsor that recruits young adults internationally and matches them with U.S. host farms, ranches, wineries, greenhouses, golf courses, and landscaping operations for paid cultural-exchange training placements. The organization runs five training tracks—Agriculture, Enology, Equine, Horticulture, and Turf Management—supplemented by outbound programs for U.S. citizens going abroad and domestic apprenticeship opportunities. CAEP handles application processing, SEVIS-based visa administration, training plan development, host matching, and ongoing program monitoring for a placement fee and monthly administrative fee paid by hosts.
Is CAEP a public or private company?
CAEP is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CAEP founded?
CAEP was founded in 1985. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is CAEP based?
CAEP is headquartered in Fergus Falls, United States, in the North America region.
How does CAEP make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Host Placement and Administrative Fees are the primary driver. The others are government Visa Fees.
Who are CAEP's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cultural Vistas, AIFS, ASSE International Student Exchange, CIEE, InterExchange, Alliance Abroad Group, Greenheart Exchange, Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) and Intrax. World Learning is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does CAEP have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAEP.
What industry is CAEP in?
CAEP's product category is Agricultural Exchange Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIADAC, Institutional Compliance & Sponsorship Management (SEVIS/CAS/CoE & equivalents). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.