Are you a tinkerer? Have thought of a fantastic idea that may save time or make life easier?

Have you made something in your shed or backyard, anyone could have done it, but you put together an original idea?

Have you made something new for the market and now it is being produced or could be tomorrow?

Entries are now open for the Southern Rural Life Farm Innovation Awards held at the Southern Field Days in Waimumu.

The bigger and bolder competition has a new location, right alongside the AgriCentre and amazing prize money with first prize $500 and second $200. The Innovation Awards now has a Primary School Category with a first prize of $50 for the entrant and $50 for their school.

3 judges interview entrants at the Innovation Site (AgriCentre) or your Field Days site on Wednesday morning. It is recommended that a replica of your Innovation still be placed at the Innovation Site if you have your own site.

As an entrant you might be trying to market your idea or just want to show others an easier way to do something. Past Winners have had innovations like Zeroharmfarm, a self priming siphon, a wheeliebin mover and a testbucket.

Schools could include an Innovation Competition in to your Pet Day, as part of your Technology program or as a one off, then send the winners to the Southern Field Days. Alternatively you could send the entry form home in your newsletter for students to enter themselves (and for parents / grandparents to see and get motivated).

Past Primary School winners have had innovations like a hen feeder, safety helmet, lamb feeder and hunting scope. Make sure your idea is original.