AgTech innovation for regional students
GrowHer 2025 engaged students across Rockhampton, Townsville, and Toowoomba, where teams of Years 7–12 young female students collaborated with industry mentors to explore real agricultural challenges and pitch creative solutions. The strength of the ideas generated reflected a growing pipeline of female talent emerging across regional Queensland.
Three winning teams, comprised of students from The Rockhampton Grammar School, Nambour State College, St Joseph’s School Stanthorpe, and Columba Catholic College, who then attended the Gatton AgTech Showcase at the Queensland Government’s Gatton Smart Farm in October 2025. Over two days, students experienced hands‑on demonstrations, explored emerging technologies, and connected directly with innovators shaping the future of farming.
The showcase featured:
- 16 interactive sessions
- in‑field demonstrations
- over 100 exhibitors from Queensland, Australia, and beyond.
Following the event, 100% of students reported improving their knowledge of AgTech 'a little' or 'a lot.'
'It’s very inspiring listening to the people talk at the AgTech Showcase. Knowing that they’ve done all these amazing things, I’m thinking that maybe I could possibly do some of those things too.'
Why a focus on young females matters in AgTech
Women remain under‑represented in agriculture, STEM, and AgTech careers. Encouraging young women to engage early is essential to growing a diverse, future‑ready workforce. Research consistently indicates that:
- Diverse teams innovate more effectively, producing stronger solutions to complex agricultural challenges
- Regional girls often have less access to technology exposure, limiting pathways into STEM and AgTech roles
- The future of agriculture is technology‑driven, requiring broader talent pipelines with digital, analytical, and leadership capability
GrowHer addresses these gaps by creating inclusive, hands‑on learning environments, providing access to role models, and connecting young women with real industry pathways.
Mentor engagement and impact
Mentors played a pivotal role by sharing authentic stories from within the innovation ecosystem, helping students understand the breadth of opportunities available in AgTech.
Survey insights from year one of the program highlight outstanding engagement:
- 92.1% of mentors said it was extremely or very important—and rewarding—to help local youth understand agriculture and AgTech
- 82.5% said it was very or extremely important to pass on their knowledge and expertise
- 100% agreed it is important to support young people to explore the world of AgTech.
'More events like GrowHer can help young females to understand the sector and get interest in this area.'
Mentors strengthened the program’s authenticity helping translate technical concepts into real, relatable career stories.
Looking ahead
GrowHer, delivered by CQUniversity’s Agri-tech Education and Extension team in partnership with AgriBusiness Connect, is a three‑year program running from 2025 to 2027. Over this period, it will empower 450 young women across regional Queensland with tech‑driven agricultural skills and leadership foundations.
Planning for the 2026 GrowHer programs is underway, with expanded opportunities for hands‑on technology learning and deeper industry collaboration across new regions in Western Queensland, Far North Queensland and the Sunshine Coast.
GrowHer continues to build a future‑ready workforce by nurturing innovation, capability, and aspiration among young Queensland women.
About the Regional Enablers Program
The Regional Enablers Program amplifies local innovation by supporting organisations delivering capability building, digital adoption, and innovation‑driven growth across regional Queensland. GrowHer is one of 15 initiatives supported under the program.
Find out more
Last updated: 21 Jul 2026