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Alex Avalos and his team will receive $4,500 and complimentary startup incorporation services as part of the California State Fair’s Statewide Apps for Ag Hackathon last weekend.

Avalos’ app, Sense and Protect, uses climate seniors to protect farmworkers’ health and enhance their productivity in the field.

Avalon was part of a team that placed first at last year’s Apps for Ag Hackathon at UC Davis for an app called Ag for Hire, which connects farmworkers and employers.

“It feels pretty good coming back for the second time and winning again,” said Avalos in a statement. “It felt really special.”

Since several of the members of the Sense and Protect team also work for Ag for Hire, Avalos said that some of its features could be integrated into Ag for Hire.

“We’re extremely proud of him,” said Clint Cowden, director of WHCC’s Farm of the Future, about Avalos. “He continues to be a great representative for West Hills College Coalinga. This is another phenomenal achievement for him.”