Winners

Congratulations to our 2023 finalists, who presented their papers at the ASABE 2023 Annual International Meeting

1st Place: Roselle Barretto, Kansas State University
Plundering Nature's Code: The Ethics and Consequences of Digital Biopiracy

2nd Place: Nitin Rai, North Dakota State University
Harvesting the benefits of artificial intelligence in agriculture: An ethical approach

3rd Place: Alise Chavanapanit, University of California, Davis
Effects of data-sharing on the power dynamic between farmers and agricultural technologyproviders and the dependency of farmers on technologies

The Competition


Open to undergraduate and graduate student members of ASABE and/or the Institute for Biological Engineering (IBE), entrants will submit an original essay of up to 1,500 words, choosing an ethics topic impacting the practice of professions related to agricultural and biological engineering, systems, or technology. Up to three finalists will be selected to present their papers at the next Annual International Meeting (AIM). The top three placements will earn cash awards as follows: $500 for 1st; $300 for 2nd; and $200 for 3rd. Each finalist will also receive one complimentary AIM registration.

Entry Deadline: April 15

Entry Requirements
• Must be an original, unpublished work – entries will be checked for plagiarism. 
• May not exceed 1,500 words.  
• Must be double-spaced, using Times New Roman, regular 11-point font, with pages numbered, and saved as a PDF.
• All entrants must be members of either ASABE or IBE at the time of submission.

The Fine Print
On the cover page only, include: 
• Name 
• ASABE or IBE membership number 
• Email address and telephone number 
• Name/location of the institution in which you are enrolled

Email your essay here no later than April 15.  To qualify for a cash award, finalists must present their papers at the next ASABE AIM. ASABE will cover the cost of meeting registration for finalists. Finalists are responsible for all related travel costs. 

Papers submitted to other ASABE student design competitions are not eligible.

ASABE reserves the right to publish entries in whole or in part in Society publications and online. ASABE also reserves the right to use photographs and videos, as well as entrant names, cities and states of residence, and university affiliations without compensation, notification, or permission, for the purpose of advertising and promoting the competition. Further, ASABE expressly disclaims any responsibility and entrants agree to release, indemnify, and hold ASABE harmless for liability, damages, or claims for injury or loss to any person or property (including death) relating to participation in this competition.