Regional Queensland girls earn place at AgTech26
Regional Queensland schoolgirls are developing innovative solutions to real agricultural challenges, with winning teams from CQUniversity’s GrowHer AgTech workshops earning a place at AgTech26, a major Agricultural innovation and technology event, in Emerald later this year.
The winning teams were selected following the delivery of GrowHer – Advancing Young Female Founders through AgTech, a Queensland Government-funded initiative delivered through the Regional Enablers Program.
Workshops were held in Longreach, Cairns and the Sunshine Coast throughout June, bringing together selected regional Queensland female students in Years 7–12 to explore real-world agricultural challenges and emerging AgTech (agricultural technology) solutions.
Working alongside industry mentors, students learned about innovation, pitching and problem-solving before developing and presenting their own AgTech ideas focused on real-world challenges including water efficiency, livestock monitoring, sustainability and farm productivity.
Following a competitive pitch process, one winning team was selected at each location.
Longreach:
Cloncurry State School P-12
- Amelia Robertson
- Chloe Robertson
Cairns:
St Monica's College
- Kate Watkins
- Lacey Taylor
- Lydia Pinto
- Madison Ahloy-Coutts
Sunshine Coast:
St Patrick’s College Gympie
- Addison Pember
- Amelia Jacobs
- Grace Harling-Ottway
- Mackenzie Walsh
The three winning teams will now form the 2026 Student Delegation and attend AgTech26 in Emerald on 23 July, where they will connect with industry leaders, innovators and investors while gaining first-hand exposure into Australia’s rapidly evolving agricultural sector.
GrowHer project lead and CQUniversity senior agriculture lecturer Dr Jaime Manning said the workshops demonstrated the creativity and potential already emerging in regional Queensland schools.
“These students were challenged to think about real agricultural problems and come up with practical technology-driven solutions, and the ideas they presented were incredibly impressive,” Dr Manning said.
“Some students arrived not knowing much about AgTech or the opportunities available in the industry, but by the end of the workshops they were confidently pitching ideas and working directly with mentors from the sector.
“Programs like GrowHer are important because they help young women in regional communities see that there is a place for them in agriculture, science and technology.”
Dr Manning said delivering the workshops in regional locations helped remove barriers for students who may not otherwise have access to innovation-focused programs.
“By running GrowHer in Longreach, Cairns and the Sunshine Coast, students could access opportunities and industry connections close to home,” Dr Manning said.
“The opportunity to attend AgTech26 in Emerald is an exciting next step and will expose these students to leaders and emerging ideas that could help shape their future study and career pathways.”
Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said the Regional Enablers Program was all about backing regional organisations to bring new ideas to life and help them grow.
“GrowHer is a great example of what happens when young women in regional communities are given the chance to step up, get creative and tackle real challenges facing agriculture,” Minister Powell said.
“It’s programs like this that don’t just support the industry now but help inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators and I’m really looking forward to seeing what these students bring to AgTech26.”
Delivered through a collaboration between CQUniversity’s Agri-tech Education and Extension team and AgriBusiness Connect, GrowHer aims to strengthen regional economies, future workforces and opportunities for young people in regional communities.
GrowHer is one of 15 initiatives supported by the Queensland Government’s Regional Enablers Program, which backs organisations delivering innovation support to accelerate economic growth across regional Queensland.
