A staggering £5,000 prize pot was up for grabs at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) for students participating in the GrowIn – Growing Innovation Network competition.
The ‘dragon’s den’ styled competition facilitated by GrowIn, with cash prizes sponsored by the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC), was designed to inspire innovative ideas that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The competition brief focused on climate change, greenhouse gas reduction, biodiversity loss, soil health, environmental protection, and food security challenges.
After a period of design and workshops, ten finalists pitched their ideas to a panel of four judges; Nicola Woods (Ulster Bank), John Woods (FFCC), Dr Eric Long (CAFRE), and Nigel Murphy (CAFRE).
Dr Eric Long commented that: “The ideas presented had great potential for significant economic, environmental, and social positive impacts. The enthusiasm of participants in demonstrating how their ideas would work in practice and the evidence of financial viability was impressive.”
The prize for First place was awarded to Sara Podhorova (a Foundation Degree Equine Management student), from Dungannon, who presented a vertically farmed hydroponic fodder project. Second place went to the BSc (Hons) Degree Equine Management student duo Fina O’Dea (Co. Clare) and Ella Grogan (Co. Waterford) for their inspiring use of equine water drinker management technology. Third position was awarded as a tie. Samuel McIvor from Cookstown, a Foundation Degree in Agriculture and Technology student pitched an aerobic digestion project and Equine Honours Degree students Emma McNeill from Co. Cavan and Charlotte McClure from Co. Meath designed lanolin equestrian products.
Dr Long concluded by thanking Helen Keys (Founder) at GrowIn for facilitating the competition, John Woods representing the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission for the incredible prize fund and Nicola Woods from the Ulster Bank for facilitating workshops and for being a judge.
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