Young, female ‘agri-prenuers’ undertake agri-tech adventure

Young, female agri-prenuers from across regional Queensland have come together at the 2025 GrowHer competition, to claim their Gatton AgTech Showcase prizes.

The competition, held at the Department of Primary Industries’ Gatton Research Facility and Smart Farm, saw teams of students from Year 7 to 12, selected earlier this year from regional events in Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba.

Each group participated in a pitch competition, after working with an industry mentor to develop a solution for an agricultural problem of their choosing.

Project lead and CQUniversity Senior Lecturer in Agriculture Dr Jaime Manning said she felt the first round of the competition unearthed some future leaders.

“The judges were very impressed with many of the pitches and that made choosing a winning team tough at all three events, a problem which we were glad to have,” Dr Manning said.

“Now we are moving on to the next phase of GrowHer, where we take our winning teams and expose them to some of the cutting edge agri-tech ideas that are being used in Queensland today.

“We are excited to create this opportunity to expose these young women to the world of AgTech – events like this are the gateway to shaping the future of agriculture.”

At the showcase, competitors had the opportunity to immerse themselves in how innovators and producers are working together to enhance farm productivity, sustainability and profitability.

The program featured 16 dynamic sessions over two days designed to explore the tangible benefits of agri-tech solutions for various agricultural sectors, including horticulture, protected cropping and broader farming practices.

The Advancing Young Female Founders through AgTech by GrowHer Program is on a mission to empower young women across regional Queensland, providing 450 students with the skills, mentorship, and connections to thrive in AgTech. Designed for female students in years 7-12, GrowHer equips the next generation of agri-preneurs with the tools to innovate, collaborate, and lead in agriculture's tech-driven future.

Visit the GrowHer website for more information and to apply for future GrowHer events.

To learn more about regional innovation support initiatives at the Regional Enablers Program Providers website.