A fresh initiative, the AgRobotics Ontario Challenge, has been introduced to spark innovation among high school students by leveraging robotics for enhanced farm efficiency and safety. The competition aims to encourage students to devise creative solutions utilizing robotics to streamline farm operations.
Participating schools will receive a robotics kit from Studica to materialize their concepts. Six chosen schools will have the opportunity to develop a prototype of their ideas, showcasing them at the London Farm Show in March 2026. Moreover, the selected schools will receive a $500 grant to support their design development.
Haggerty Robotics, led by Chuck Baresich, a company specializing in agricultural robotics, is actively involved in the contest. Baresich emphasized the significance of merging technology with food production, highlighting the substantial global investments in enhancing agricultural practices.
The utilization of robotics in farming addresses critical tasks like crop harvesting and pest management, offering autonomous and efficient solutions. While farm robots are prevalent in controlled environments like greenhouses, there is a growing need for their implementation in open-field settings for crops such as apples and strawberries.
The competition guidelines encourage students to propose practical farm-centric ideas, fostering innovative problem-solving approaches. Bridget Mahon, the agribusiness manager at Western Fair Association, views the contest as a platform for students to apply their skills to real-world agricultural challenges.
The submission deadline for the contest is in late November, with the selection of the six finalist schools scheduled for early December. For further details and submission guidelines, visit the competition portal [here](https://www.innovationfarmson.ca/student-competition).
