Research Competition Winners & Scholarship Recipients

This spring, SEEAG proudly hosted our first Fields of Innovation in Agriculture Research Competition, a six-week research experience designed to empower high school students to explore challenges facing the agricultural industry through science, innovation, and problem solving.

Open to 10th–12th grade students across Ventura County, the competition challenged participants to think critically about the future of agriculture while developing professional research and presentation skills. Hosted entirely through Canvas, the flexible online program allowed students to conduct independent research while receiving optional guidance and support from SEEAG throughout the process. Participating high schools included: Thousand Oaks High School, Hueneme High School, Rio Mesa high School, Foothill Technology High School, Santa Susana High School, and Westlake High School.

Exploring Water in Agriculture

This year’s theme, Water in Agriculture, focused on one of California’s most urgent and complex challenges in the agriculture sector. Students investigated topics including water conservation, irrigation innovation, sustainable farming practices, emerging agricultural technologies, groundwater management, and climate-related impacts on crop production.

Throughout the six-week program, students explored agriculture-related career pathways, connected with industry professionals, and developed both a professional research abstract and scientific poster presentation. The experience encouraged students to bridge STEM concepts with agriculture while proposing innovative and realistic solutions for the future of food production.

Final Showcase at CSU Channel Islands

The competition culminated in an in-person final showcase held on May 2 at California State University Channel Islands alongside the 18th Annual CSUCI Student Research Conference. The event created a unique opportunity for high school students to present their work in a collegiate research setting while engaging with university students, educators, and agricultural professionals.

Finalists presented their projects to a distinguished panel of judges representing industry, higher education, and agricultural organizations, including professionals from Brokaw Nursery, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Channel Islands, Driscoll’s, Coast Water Solutions, and the Rodale Institute.

Celebrating Student Innovation

This year’s top student projects showcased remarkable creativity, research, and passion for solving agricultural water challenges. Below are the three students that received scholarship awards for their incredible work:

1st Place — Jayden Hua | $2,000 Scholarship

Jayden investigated the impacts of Santa Ana Winds on crop health, specifically how increased evapotranspiration and atmospheric drought stress can reduce crop yields even in well-watered conditions. His project proposed regenerative agriculture solutions such as cover cropping and natural windbreaks to improve plant resilience, conserve water, and protect crops from environmental stress.

2nd Place — Aurora Arellano | $1,000 Scholarship

Aurora focused on groundwater overdraft in California’s Central Valley and its consequences, including land subsidence and water scarcity. Her project proposed the use of injection wells paired with advanced wastewater treatment systems to recharge aquifers and create a more sustainable water future.

3rd Place — Nandhitha Bashyaramanujam | $500 Scholarship

Nandhitha explored unsustainable irrigation practices and groundwater overuse in Central California. Inspired by traditional clay pot irrigation methods, her project proposed “mechanized ollas,” an innovative irrigation system designed to deliver water directly to plant roots while significantly improving water efficiency and reducing long-term farming costs.

Building the Future of Agriculture

The Fields of Innovation in Agriculture Research Competition reflects SEEAG’s commitment to creating meaningful educational experiences that connect students to agriculture, STEM, and future career pathways.

We are incredibly proud of every student who participated in this year’s inaugural competition and deeply grateful to the educators, judges, industry professionals, and community partners who helped bring the experience to life. A special thank you goes to our sponsors, Coast Water Solutions and Travis Ag, who supported student scholarships and helped make this pilot program possible.

As we reflect on the success of this first year, we are excited to continue growing the competition and inspiring even more students to see themselves as future leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers within agriculture. Stay tuned for the date of our next research competition!