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Collaborative networks

Location: Armidale
Status: Complete (Node support for this ongoing annual event has ended)
Partner: University of New England Smart Region Incubator (SRI)

Agmentation brings together diverse talent from high schools, UNE students and researchers, international students, startups and businesses, producers, innovators and technologists to combine their ideas and scope a solution. Challenge statements set the scene, then individuals work in teams to devise and pitch a solution at the end of the day. Agmentation is an opportunity to join others in an intensive sprint and pitch, solving problems that matter to agricultural producers and rural communities.

The Armidale Node supported the event in 2022 and 2023, where 120 participants developed pitches to address challenges around climate variability and drought. The innovation challenge uses a human-centred design approach. Working in teams, and supported by experienced mentors, participants designed solutions to real world problems. Those solutions had potential to make real impact, with a student member from the winning team in 2022 completing an internship with the Armidale Node in 2023, gaining valuable industry experience that will assist her as she completes her degree and moves into the workforce. In addition, the winning team from 2023 worked with the Node to further develop their idea to make carbon knowledge and accounting more accessible for small to medium rural enterprises.

Agmentation is supported by a range of regional collaborators each year, including the SQNNSW Innovation Hub, Armidale Regional Council, NSW Government, University of New England, the UNE SMART Farm, the UNE SMART Region Incubator, its mentors, and amazing networks of community supporters.

Learn more about Agmentation. 
Watch the Agmentation 2023 video.

A group of people standing indoors in front of a wall, some holding certificates and wearing lanyards. There are banners and a table with objects in the background.

Location: Bingara / Lismore
Status: Active
Partners: Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, Northern Slopes Landcare Association (NSLA), Gwydir Shire Council

In late 2023 and early 2024 the hub's Bingara Extension officer organised two informal discussions over coffee with leaders in Warialda, and two additional formal Round Tables with community leaders in Bingara. The first Bingara Round Table was facilitated by Mayor Cr.Tiffany Galvin, leading to a follow-up roundtable where priorities were set to actions. Two Business Planning Workshops have been delivered with Simon Groth from Gwydir Chartered Accountants, with more to come.  

People seated at several tables in a bright room, engaged in discussion. Large windows show a view of greenery outside.

Location: Lismore
Status: Active
Partners: Southern Cross University (SCU), local farmers

Facilitated by the hub's Lismore Node, the SCU Regenerative Ag student engagement project provides assistance to subject coordinators with farm visits and demonstrations relevant to the SCU Regenerative Agriculture and Environmental Science undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The hub also assists with communication of field activities and research at Southern Cross University to a wide range of audiences.

A group of people gather in a field, some kneeling and examining the ground, under a partly cloudy sky.