CLASS 

2023 Drought Resilience and Innovation Challenge Prize Recipients

As communicated in previous Weekly Wraps, throughout Term 3, Certificate III in Agriculture students participated in the 2023 Drought Resilience and Innovation Challenge. 

The Challenge required students to identify and explain an innovative tool, system or solution that would increase the resilience of Western Australian farmers in a hotter, drier and more variable climate.  Students could work individually or in groups and could choose to present their ideas in a written or presentation format. On Tuesday the 19th of September students presented their innovative ideas to a panel coordinated by the Southwest WA Drought Resilience, Adoption, and Innovation Hub. 

This year, the challenges prize money was generously sponsored by Grower Group Alliance and the Southwest WA Drought Resilience, Adoption and Innovation Hub. The winners of the 2023 Challenge were recently announced at the College’s Graduation ceremony. 

For their idea to create a water-efficient, portable robotic dairy, 3rd Prize valued at $300 was awarded to Tia Boylan, Amelia Ietto and Rachel Smith.

For her idea to create custom underwater storage tanks to reduce evaporation and maximise water use efficiency and purity, 2nd prize valued at $700 was awarded to Crystal Alexander.

For his idea to create an Adaptive Farming Navigator Platform which incorporates sensor data and contextual information to inform decision-making and allow farmers to collaborate to solve real-world problems, 1st prize, valued at $1000 was awarded to Michael Kilrain.

Michael also competed with the 1st prize recipients from WA College of Agriculture Narrogin and WA College of Agriculture Denmark. I am pleased to announce that Michael was awarded the overall champion entry and as a result Harvey Ag will be receiving $500 to purchase new technology. 

Well done Michael and congratulations to the other prize recipients!