United States (U.S.) specialty crop growers face myriad decisions regarding substrate selection as sustainability, market demands, and resource limitations influence soilless production systems. Peat is a common component in container substrates despite public concerns about its limited availability, finite supply, and associations with greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts, which have prompted growers to seek alternative materials. However, limited research has focused on the experiences, challenges, and research needs of U.S. specialty crop growers related to substrate transitions. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore growers’ key considerations, research interests, and preferred communication methods associated with substrate transitions. An online survey and three focus groups were used to gain insights into growers’ experiences, concerns, and perceived impacts of peat replacement, research needs, and preferred communication channels. Results indicated that financial costs, peat availability, access to peat alternative substrates, and environmental considerations were the main factors influencing potential changes in substrate use. Growers identified key research priorities to assist decision-making, including (1) irrigation and nutrient management strategies, (2) the economic performance of alternative substrates, and (3) locally validated trials demonstrating system compatibility. They preferred practical communication methods for sharing results, including websites, YouTube videos, in-person meetings, on-farm demonstrations, and short podcasts accessible during routine work hours. The findings implied that research, outreach, and communication efforts tailored to growers’ operational contexts will support informed substrate transitions.

Modern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines technology, business, and sustainability. However, since IPM was initially introduced during the 1970s, its adoption continues to vary due to economic and educational factors. While quantitative studies have documented IPM adoption trends, far fewer have qualitatively examined how adopters themselves perceive the benefits and constraints of IPM implementation. This study draws on seven focus groups ( N = 82) with tree-fruit growers in the eastern United States to investigate the perceived benefits and challenges of sustained IPM adoption. Findings revealed growers’ perceptions of IPM adoption advantages could be broken down into two themes: perceived efficiency gains from flexible applications and eco-conscious management approaches . Simultaneously, perceived challenges affecting sustained adoption were identified in two emerging themes: the economics of effective IPM and the continual need to adapt due to uncontrollable pressures that reduce desirability. This study highlights that a complex interplay of technical, socio-economic, and communicative factors shapes the adoption of IPM among tree-fruit growers in the eastern United States. Applying a diffusion and innovation framework revealed that participants held positive attitudes toward the relative advantages and compatibility of IPM. However, limited opportunities to evaluate new IPM strategies led to negative attitudes toward IPM’s complex application characteristics, coupled with uncertainties regarding policy stability and challenging weather patterns, which may hinder their adoption. These findings pointed to a pressing need for Extension professionals engaged in scientific outreach to move beyond traditional technical training and embrace roles as facilitators of innovation. Enhancing communication channels and systems that boost growers’ confidence trying new IPM strategies will ensure they remain informed about IPM innovations that benefit the industry.

Movements opposing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remain one of the most impactful protest movements in recent times, successfully suppressing the widespread global acceptance of GMOs through strategically crafted anti-GMO rhetoric. Yet, inadequate research has focused on the arguments used by GMO-promoting advocates. In this media content analysis study, inspired by the Neo-Aristotelian Method of Rhetorical Criticism (NAMRC), we analyze news articles about GMO technologies gathered from the most-read news portals in Ghana. We identify the rhetorical strategies used by GMO-promoting institutions that are reported in media interactions when the legitimacy of these technologies is questioned. We found that pro-GMO rhetoric focuses on themes of problem-solving technology, defensive advocacy, hope for the future, and scientific evidence to persuade publics. In the media coverage we analyzed, pro-GMO advocates defended both the safety of the technology and the legitimacy of scientific research and agricultural innovation. To ensure that advocacy for genetically modified crops is both responsible and credible, advocates of GMO technologies must strike a balance between conveying enthusiasm for these technologies and exercising caution about their limitations.

News media play a crucial role in communicating agricultural biotechnology tools such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and gene-edited crops to consumers, heavily influencing public perception of these technologies. This study assessed news media framing of gene editing in news reports in Ghana between 2021 and 2024. Underpinned by Media Framing Theory, we purposively selected and examined 56 reports from six online news platforms: three private and most read news portals and all three state-owned news media platforms. We found that while news reports were overwhelmingly pro-innovation centred—framing gene editing as a highly efficient scientific solution to agricultural challenges, consumer opinions and opposing viewpoints were notably absent. Academics, scientists and government officials advocating the technology were the more frequently quoted sources. We caution that the news media’s overreliance on elite sources for information, while excluding grassroot, critical and alternative perspectives, could trigger perceptions of elite manipulative intent (PEMI). This could potentially reinforce dominant narratives and may heighten public scepticism of the technology. We recommend increased attention and investment in science journalism, expanded resources for in-depth reporting, and redesigned training programs to equip journalists with both technical knowledge and critical skills. Notably, the majority of reports quoted local experts. This approach reinforces credibility of news coverage and is essential for building public confidence and trust in emerging technologies.

Peat is commonly used in container substrates; however, concerns about reliance on imported products, inconsistent availability, and environmental sustainability are increasing growers’ interest in transitioning to alternative soilless substrates. Several studies have explored growers’ perceptions of alternative material use in greenhouse and nursery settings, but less is known about how stakeholders in the horticultural industry evaluate the adoption of peat-alternative substrates. Therefore, this study used the five perceived innovation attributes of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory to examine horticultural industry stakeholders’ considerations related to peat-alternative substrate adoption in the U.S. Three focus groups involving 35 horticultural industry stakeholders, including specialty crop growers, research scientists, crop consultants, and professionals in other horticultural industry roles, were conducted in Ohio and Florida. The focus group data were first analyzed inductively to identify themes, then analyzed deductively through DOI’s five perceived innovation attributes: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. Findings indicated participants frequently discussed compatibility and complexity concerns, while relative advantage reflected considerations of substrate performance, economic viability, environmental sustainability, and supply reliability. Relative advantages were discussed predominantly positively, whereas complexity was discussed predominantly negatively. Trialability and observability were described as potentially reducing uncertainty through small-scale testing, demonstration trials, and observing others’ successful adoption. Overall, the findings suggest that economic feasibility, compatibility with existing production systems, and opportunities to observe and test peat alternatives were important considerations among participants and may inform future extension, applied research, and industry efforts related to peat-alternative substrate adoption.

Illegal artisanal and small-scale gold mining ( galamsey ) in Ghana is commonly framed as an environmental or economic issue. This commentary argues that such perspectives are incomplete because illegal mining fundamentally constitutes a food systems crisis. Drawing on a systems perspective, this commentary synthesizes existing literature to demonstrate how galamsey disrupts agricultural production, contaminates water resources, undermines livelihoods, and creates reinforcing cycles of environmental degradation and food insecurity. The commentary identifies key leverage points, including strengthened, politically accountable enforcement; simplified pathways to legal mining; locally viable alternative livelihoods; geospatial environmental monitoring; community participation; and restoration of degraded agricultural land. By reframing galamsey as a food systems challenge, this commentary calls for integrated policy responses that align environmental sustainability with livelihood security.