Support trust doubles its numbers

Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust chairwoman Sandy Scarrow says it welcomes a boost in funding from the government and its number of facilitators has doubled due to demand.

A group of St Paul's Collegiate School's Agribusiness students won the Young Innovator of the Year title at Fieldays.

Angus Kelly, Ben McColgan, Hugh Jackson and Connor Gordon formed Crankworks and produced the Crankholder - a post hole borer holder that attaches to a trailer or farm vehicle enabling one person to operate it safely by eliminating the twisting movement.

The four young innovators developed the product in their Agribusiness class at Hamilton's St Paul's Collegiate School.

The Agribusiness programme was created by St Paul's, DairyNZ and Beef + LambNZ to inspire secondary school students to consider a career in the primary industries by opening their eyes to the world of opportunities in the sector that go beyond the farm gate.

Crankworks drew inspiration from Hugh's father - a farmer - who suggested coming up with a way for one man to safely operate a post hole borer.

The team drew their ideas and then tested their prototypes on Hugh's farm and at school before deciding on the end design.

The idea is that the frame attaches to the borer and a stable platform, such as a trailer or quad bike, eliminating potential danger such as twisting or snagging and throwing the operators.

It was pitched at the Crocodile Pit (the school's version of the Dragon's Den) and they were inspired to continue to Fieldays.

Crankworks teamed up with Tauranga engineering firm Trench It to come up with the working model for Fieldays.

The boys said Fieldays Innovation Tent was hard work - but worthwhile.

Connor says lots of people said the idea was simple but genius.

There were also offers to help with development and manufacture.

"We got roasted a bit, but the feedback was constructive and it will help us develop the product further," says Ben.

The award included $1000 cash, which Crankworks plan to use to fine-tune their invention and go to market.-