Proving that innovation thrives on a small scale, the winners of the 5th Annual Small Farm Innovation Challenge have introduced groundbreaking solutions to address critical challenges in small-scale agriculture. Hosted by the nonprofit Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), this competition invites innovators from around the world to submit their creative technologies, from hardware to software to DIY projects, all aimed at making small farms more viable and sustainable in an increasingly AgTech-driven world.
This year’s winners reflect the ingenuity of farmers and agricultural specialists who are actively shaping a more resilient food system. The competition recognizes excellence in four categories: Best DIY Innovation, Best Commercial Idea, Best Farm Hack, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in Tractor Innovation.
DIY Innovation Award: Sena Daniel Ahiabor – Ubiquitous Multi-Purpose Farm Use Station
Tuskegee University, Alabama
Sena Daniel Ahiabor, a Sustainable Food Systems Resource Specialist and Post-Harvest Specialist at Tuskegee University, has been awarded the Best DIY Innovation Award for the second time. Ahiabor’s latest innovation, the Ubiquitous Multi-Purpose Farm Use Station, is an all-in-one workstation designed to assist small-scale farmers with post-harvest handling, packaging, and repairs. Constructed with affordable, locally available materials, the station improves efficiency in produce sorting, bubble washing, and storage while incorporating features for integrated pest management and COVID-19 safety.
Ahiabor is no stranger to innovation—his Elbow-Operated Hand Wash Station also won the DIY category in 2022-23. His continued commitment to small farmers highlights the importance of accessible, practical solutions that improve working conditions and food safety.
DIY Innovation Award: Jennifer Bantle – DIY Mulch Blower
Fallbrook, CA
As an avocado and citrus farmer in San Diego County, Jennifer Bantle faced a costly dilemma—mulch delivery fees often exceeded the price of the mulch itself, and expensive commercial mulch spreaders were financially out of reach. Determined to find a solution, Bantle developed a DIY Mulch Blower that makes spreading mulch on steep hillsides more efficient and affordable. The compact machine retrofits a leaf vacuum with an extended hose, macerating and redistributing mulch across the farm with minimal labor.
This innovation dramatically reduces manual labor, conserves soil moisture, and prevents hillside erosion, all while cutting costs. Her ingenuity proves that necessity is the mother of invention, and her solution is already making farm life easier for small-scale producers.
Best Commercial Idea: Kimberly Drennan – BarnBox
Boulder, CO
Architect and innovator Kimberly Drennan, CEO of HiveTech Solutions, is revolutionizing on-farm cold storage with BarnBox. Designed to serve small farms that lack access to high-quality refrigeration, BarnBox reduces power upgrade costs by up to $50,000 while cutting operating expenses in half. The portable unit can be moved with a 5K forklift, and built-in sensors provide real-time alerts to farmers, ensuring optimal storage conditions for produce.
Drennan envisions BarnBox evolving into a shared resource for local farmers, functioning as an “Airbnb for cold storage” where neighboring farms can lease space. By securing the food system through practical, farmer-focused solutions, BarnBox exemplifies the power of AgTech to support small-scale producers.
Best Farm Hack: Kurt Bantle – SmartFarmIQ
Fallbrook, CA
A true farm innovator, Kurt Bantle developed SmartFarmIQ, a flexible, affordable farm monitoring system tailored for small farms. Unlike expensive, large-scale agricultural technologies, SmartFarmIQ provides real-time visibility into irrigation, lighting, weather conditions, and more—all with off-the-shelf hardware to keep costs low.
Bantle, who co-owns Bantle Avocado Farm with his wife Jennifer (also a 2025 awardee), has firsthand experience with the financial constraints facing small farms. His goal is to commercialize SmartFarmIQ as an affordable alternative for small farmers seeking professional-grade data monitoring and automation, empowering them to optimize their operations and reduce costs.
Lifetime Achievement Award in Tractor Innovation: Steve Heckeroth – e2T (Electric 2-Wheel Tractor)
Santa Rosa, CA
Renowned renewable energy pioneer Steve Heckeroth, Founder and CEO of Renewables Inc., has been recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Tractor Innovation for his groundbreaking work on electric farm equipment. With over 55 years of experience in renewable energy and electric vehicles, Heckeroth has now developed the e2T (Electric 2-Wheel Tractor)—a game-changer for small-scale farms.
The e2T is an affordable, low-maintenance alternative to traditional diesel tractors. It eliminates fuel costs, reduces emissions, and minimizes soil compaction, making it ideal for small row-crop farms. The autonomous and remote-controlled options further enhance ease of use, while on-site solar charging makes the transition to clean energy seamless.
Heckeroth’s ultimate aspiration? To replace fossil-fuel-powered tractors worldwide with scalable electric alternatives, ensuring a more sustainable agricultural future. His career has been defined by a relentless drive to decarbonize agriculture, and his contributions will undoubtedly shape the industry for generations to come.
Learn more about the Small Farm Innovation Challenge at https://caff.org/innovation-challenge/