Two farmworkers in Mexico took top honors in a contest organized by a Washington-based nonprofit that asked workers to propose innovations for improving apple harvests.

Caleb Gonzalez and Alpolonio Barriga Reyes, both of Oaxaca, were awarded the top prize of $6,000 by Semillero de Ideas (Nursery of Ideas).

The judges were impressed by the creativity of unrolling tarps with a forklift to make the work safer, quicker and more productive, according to a press release.

This was the second year Semillero has asked workers to propose innovations. This year, the focus was on harvesting apples. Semillero presented the awards March 1 at events in Pasco, Wash., and Jocotepec, Jalisco.

The “Your Ideas Matter, Manzana Challenge 2024” attracted 103 participants with ideas to improve work, production and environmental sustainability in apple orchards. The number of entries doubled from the year before, which focused on harvesting cherries.

Benita Carmen, Violeta Rivero Gutierrez, Feberico David Minor Rivero and Hugo Ivan Bernal Mares of Zempoala, Hidalgo, won second place and $4,000 for proposing pollinator piggy banks.

Patricia Oropeza and Gabriel Oropez, both of Wapato, Wash., were awarded third place and $2,000 for an extendable thinning scissors. A prototype is being used in the field, according to Semillero.

Washington farmworker Jesus Gutierrez and Johnny Edhuu Trejo Mejia of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, received honorable mention and $1,5000 for a 10-point proposal to strengthen the agricultural industry with trained field professionals.

The judges appreciated the idea of training to create respect, empathy, problem solving and collaboration between workers and managers, according to Semillero.

Washington farmworker Luis Alejandro and Dule Anahi Cortez Melecio of Nayarit, Mexico, received honorable mention and $1,500 for proposing to add anti-slip tape and a supporting chain to ladders. There were several ideas submitted for making ladders safer. This one was the best, according to Semillero.

The entries were judged by farmworker Hermelinda Espinoza, Washington Fruit Growers vice president of orchard operations Robin Graham, Washington State University tree fruit research assistant Juan Carlos Munguia de la Cruz and organizational systems expert Jagoda Perich-Anderson.

The contest received support from Driscoll’s. The corporate sponsor was Once Upon a Farm. “We’re proud to support the Manzana Challenge as a platform to showcase and celebrate farmworkers’ innovative ideas for improving apple harvest,” Once Upon a Farm director of sustainability Jane Kuhn said in a statement.

The Washington State Tree Fruit Association informed its members about the contest. The Worker and Farmer Labor Association helped spread the word to farmworkers.