CAFRE student innovation shines at GrowIN Competition

Date published: 2 April 2025

This year’s competition which saw incredible talent, culminated in a remarkable prize fund of £5,000 being awarded to the top entrants.

The Innovation Competition, now in its third year was facilitated by Helen Keys from Growing Innovation Network (GrowIN), who supported ten CAFRE teams and individuals to develop their innovative ideas. Each participant entered the competition with a novel concept or spark of inspiration. Through the competition process they were connected with a diverse ecosystem of support, including mentors, funders and advisors.

Focused on addressing some of the most pressing global challenges, the competition encouraged ideas related to climate change, greenhouse gas reduction, biodiversity conservation, soil health, environmental protection, and food security. The projects also aligned with at least one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Eric Long, Head of Education Service at CAFRE remarked: “Now in its third year the CAFRE GrowIN competition fosters the next generation of innovative thinkers and entrepreneurs for the Agriculture, Equine, Food and Horticulture industries. I extend thanks to Helen Keys from the Growing Innovation Network for facilitating this competition and to the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission and DAERA’s Innovation and Science Transformation Division for jointly providing the prize fund.”

Finalists presented their business proposals to a distinguished panel of judges, which included Claire Saunderson (Food, Farming, and Countryside Commission), Gren Armstrong (InvestNI), Dr Eric Long (CAFRE) and Nigel Murphy (CAFRE).

The competition results were as follows:

• First place was awarded to Anna Jackson a first year BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Business Management student who presented her concept of Feisty Iron Enriched Health Bars.
• Second place was awarded to Lucy Wolf a Certificate in Higher Education Equine Science and Management student for her proposal for an End 2 End, Parasite Management Service.
• Third position (tied). Harrison Clarke a final year student studying on the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture for his engineering concept. Grace Hunter a second year BSc (Hons) Degree in Food Innovation Management student for her pitch featuring a Willow Feed Supplement.

This competition is a fantastic platform for students to showcase innovative ideas and the prize fund will undoubtedly support the winners take their projects to the next level.

For more information on courses available to study at CAFRE visit the CAFRE website.