Welcome back to Urban Pods! In this episode, your host, Dr. Ruchika Kashyap, dives deep into the dynamic world of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), addressing common questions like: “What exactly is CEA?” and “Can a backyard hoop house be considered CEA?”

Dr. R. is joined by the UGA CEA Fab Five, a powerhouse team of experts from the University of Georgia, who are leading the charge in CEA research, extension, and innovation. They discuss the broad spectrum of CEA—from simple high tunnels to advanced indoor vertical farms—and how it’s revolutionizing food production, resource utilization, and even space exploration.

The discussion explores the diverse backgrounds of CEA growers, the differences between breeding for the field versus CEA, and the critical importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and disease management in these closed systems. Our experts also share how their individual research pillars—Crop Physiology, Plant Breeding, Entomology (IPM), and Phenomics—are converging to create predictable, profitable, and sustainable recipes for the future of urban and controlled agriculture.This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the science, technology, and business of growing fresh, local food in a controlled environment