DEV Community: Sakshi Yadav

My Hacktoberfest Journey: Building an AI that touches grass so I don't have to

Sakshi Yadav — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 15:05:08 +0000

This is a submission for the Hacktoberfest Open-Source AI Challenge Week 1: Touch Grass

What I Built

I built an offline, open-source AI nature identifier. It is a Python CLI tool that runs the LLaVA vision model locally on your laptop using Ollama.

The purpose of this tool is to get people outside and exploring nature without the need for an internet connection. It allows hikers, birdwatchers, and gardeners to identify plants, birds, or animals right on their machine, ensuring absolute privacy and zero reliance on the cloud.

Code

You can view all the code, the bird picture, and the log file in my GitHub repository here:
https://github.com/sakshi-yadav-06/touch-grass-ai

How I Built It

I built this using open-source, local-first technology:

Ollama & LLaVA: I used Ollama to run the open-weight LLaVA vision model entirely on my local machine. No API keys, no internet required.
Python: I wrote a simple CLI script (app.py) that takes an image path, converts it to base64, and sends it to the local Ollama client running on http://127.0.0.1:11434.
Backboard: I used my Backboard credits to review my Python code and optimize it for lower memory usage.
Render: I used my Render credits to deploy a simple static landing page for the project.
Tinker: In the future, I plan to use Tinker to fine-tune the model on regional bird species to make the AI even more accurate for my local area.

Why Does Open Innovation Matter?

Closed AI keeps us tied to the cloud. When you are out in nature without a signal, cloud-based AI is completely useless. Open-source AI, like the models I used here, gives power back to the developer. It allows us to build tools that are private, fast, and work anywhere on Earth. I can customize the model and run it offline. This is the power of open innovation.

The "Aha!" Moment

The best part was testing it. I turned off my Wi-Fi, loaded a picture of a local bird, and ran my script. The AI successfully identified the bird and gave me a safety warning about observing wildlife from a distance. It was incredibly rewarding to see open-source AI working flawlessly offline.

Prize Categories

Best Use of Render
Best Use of Backboard
Best Use of Tinker

Demo & Proof

You can view the live project landing page (hosted on Render) here:
https://touch-grass-ai.onrender.com

My Hacktoberfest Journey: Building an AI that touches grass so I don't have to

Sakshi Yadav — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:55:54 +0000

Hacktoberfest is all about open-source collaboration. When I saw the "Touch Grass" challenge prompt, I knew I had to build something that gets people away from their screens.

I present to you: The Offline Nature Identifier.

The Idea-
I wanted a tool that hikers, birdwatchers, and gardeners could use without a cell signal. A tool that runs entirely on your laptop, using open-source AI.

How I Built It (And The Tools I Used)

Ollama + LLaVA: I used these to handle the local vision AI. It identifies plants and animals right on your machine.

Backboard: I used my Backboard credits to review my Python code and make it more efficient.

Render: I used Render to deploy a simple static site for the project, making it accessible to everyone.

Tinker: In the future, I plan to use Tinker to fine-tune the model on regional bird species.

The "Aha!" Moment
The best part was testing it. I turned off my Wi-Fi, loaded a picture of a local bird, and ran my script. The AI successfully identified the bird and gave me a safety warning about observing wildlife from a distance. It was incredibly rewarding to see open-source AI working flawlessly offline.

Why Open-Source AI is Essential
Closed AI keeps us tied to the cloud. Open-source AI, like the models I used here, gives power back to the developer. It allows us to build tools that are private, fast, and work anywhere on Earth.

See the Project:
I deployed the landing page on Render:
[https://touch-grass-ai.onrender.com]

intro

Sakshi Yadav — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 06:33:27 +0000

Hi, I’m Sakshi Yadav. I’m a 3rd-year B.Tech Computer Science student at Gyan Ganga Institute of Technology and Science, Jabalpur. I’m interested in software development and currently improving my skills in C++, JavaScript, and DSA. I’m a quick learner, enjoy connecting with people, and I’m always looking for opportunities to learn, build projects, and grow as a software engineer.

intro

Sakshi Yadav — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 19:40:32 +0000