Food and agriculture innovators, farmers and entrepreneurs are invited to compete for $10,000 and other prizes at the 2017 Apps for Ag Hackathon July 28-30. Contestants will gather at The Urban Hive in Sacramento to create new ways to apply technology to improve the food system.
Anyone with an idea for technology that would simplify a task for farmers or consumers can team up with people who can turn the idea into something functional. It can be a mobile app, device or a machine.
“Apps for Ag is not just about technology and agriculture, it’s about bringing together uncommon collaborators from all kinds of backgrounds and organizations to solve problems and create innovation that transforms our food supply and the system behind it.”
– Gabe Yountsey, UC ANR
To inspire the innovators as they develop their food and agriculture ideas and technology, a few speakers will kick off the hackathon with their perspectives, including last year’s Apps for Ag winner Deema Tamimi, CEO and founder of Giving Garden. A veteran farmer will discuss the hurdles farmers face today and the potential for technology to meet their needs. Joyce Hunter, former deputy CIO at the USDA will give a brief talk about the power of open data and how it can be used to solve some of our greatest agricultural and food challenges.
Following opening remarks, participants will present their ideas, form teams and begin to build their software applications and pitch decks over the next two days. Expert mentors will assist the teams and food will be provided throughout the event. On Sunday, July 30, at 4 p.m. the teams will present their apps to a panel of judges at the California State Fair. Members of the public are welcome to attend. 
The three top teams will be awarded cash prizes and resources to help turn their technology into a business. The winning team will receive $10,000, second place gets $5,000 and third place will earn $2,500. Learn more – or register to attend – here.
Apps for Ag is a food and agriculture innovation event series hosted by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and sponsored by IO Labs, The Urban Hive and the California State Fair.
Editor’s Note: About UC ANR – This division of UC brings practical, science-based answers to Californians. Advisors, specialists and faculty are part of their local communities and work closely with stakeholders to enhance agricultural markets, address environmental concerns, protect plant health, provide farmers with scientifically tested production techniques and support residents with increased food safety and improved nutrition. UC ANR runs popular community-based programs, including 4-H, California Naturalist, the Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver programs. Learn more here.