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Applied and Extension

Bridging the Invisible Flood: Perceptions, Barriers and Social Readiness for Controlled Environment Agriculture in Rural Coastal Communities Deeptha Rao*, Deeptha Rao, Kenneth Robinson,

Coastal communities in the southeastern United States face the dual threats of saltwater intrusion and land loss due to climate-change-driven sea-level rise. This “invisible flood” fundamentally alters soil biochemistry and necessitates a transition to more resilient agricultural practices. Current literature suggests that Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is presented as a scientific and sustainable mode of climate-resilient agriculture; however, it presents a unique challenge to rural agrarian communities’ readiness to engage with it. This paper investigates the knowledge levels and perceptions of CEA among rural producers and their technical and economic readiness to adopt CEA platforms. Using a mixed-methods needs assessment, beginning with a Stakeholder Advisory Group listening session (n = 16) followed by a survey of extension agents, horticulture specialists, master gardeners, and growers (n = 100), we identify the specific barriers to CEA adoption and climate-resilient agricultural strategies to overcome them in rural coastal communities. Results reveal that while there is interest in using CEA, its adoption is constrained by prohibitive initial capital costs. We conclude that addressing these barriers requires targeted assistance through agricultural extension programs to ensure that scientific and technological advancements in climate-resilient agriculture are accessible to producers who need them most.