GrowHer event empowers next gen ag-tech leaders

The first cohort of 50 secondary students from 14 schools across the Central Queensland region worked with industry mentors and researchers to collaborate and design innovative solutions to emerging and current issues in agriculture.

Culminating in a pitch event, the girls formed teams to present their ideas to a judging panel, with the winning team to attend a QLD innovation event later in the year.

CQUniversity Senior Lecturer in Agriculture and Agri-Tech Education researcher Dr Jaime Manning said the event was integral for empowering and equipping the next generation of females in ag-tech with new skills and knowledge, whilst building industry networks and key mentor relationships.

“As agriculture changes, the next generation workforce will require a whole new suite of skills that we don’t currently have yet, so this event has been a great opportunity to brainstorm solutions and innovative ideas for new and emerging opportunities in agriculture,” Dr Manning said.

“It’s also been a great experience for the girls to develop strong and supportive industry connections that will be able to continue to nurture and assist them with finding their place in the world of agriculture.”

The winning pitch was by a team from the Rockhampton Grammar School comprising of Ella Holcombe, Lalita Roopnarinesingh and Kathleen Nguyen, with support from their mentor Dylan Gannan of PestSense.

Year 12 student and passionate youth advocate Kathleen from the winning team said the event was a valuable opportunity to be able to connect with other young women in the region and hear from women working in the sector.

“Being able to network and share ideas with so many amazing women in the community and in the sector has been really valuable,” Kathleen said.

“I’ve always been a strong advocate for youth empowerment and for more younger people to be at decision-making tables, and I think the agricultural sector would definitely benefit from some of our ideas – so it’s been a big step forward not only for myself, but other young women in the community and across the state to be able to present their solutions.”

Judges of the pitch competition comprised of CQUniversity Associate Professor in Ag, Science and Environment Karen Harper, alongside Advance Rockhampton’s Senior Advisor, Investment Attraction Brendan Ryan.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said that he was pleased to see the response the initiative received, and highlighted how critical the agriculture sector is to the Central Queensland region and economy.

“I want Rockhampton to succeed and that means having thriving local industries that drive jobs and economic activity,” Mayor Williams said.

“That only works when we have bright, committed and energetic young people in the sector and driving that next generation of farmers and ag specialists across the region.”

Of the 14 pitches presented, Dr Manning said she was impressed by the calibre of ideas and was looking forward to seeing the girls progress towards eventual careers in the sector.

“There were teams who certainly presented feasible ideas to address problems in the ag sector over the next several years,” Dr Manning said.

“For us in the sector, we really need to start considering some of these ideas from our young people – workshop those ideas and see how we can make them a reality to really help out the agricultural sector.”

Over three years, the GrowHer project delivered by the CQUniversity Agri-tech Education and Extension Team and AgriBusiness Connect will support 450 female participants to innovate, collaborate and lead in agriculture's tech-driven future.

Each year, winning teams of participants will represent GrowHer at an innovation event, to further develop their idea and grow industry connections.



To learn more, visit the GrowHer website. GrowHer is proudly supported by Advance Queensland, as part of the Regional Enablers Program.