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Modern Issues in Food & Agriculture

Modern Issues in Food & Agriculture

This course is part of Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics Specialization

Instructors: Ailie Elmore

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Describe and evaluate sustainable agricultural practices and conservation strategies in food production agriculture.
Examine how consumer behavior and trends influence agricultural practices and food policy.
Explore the evolution and advancements in technological innovations in agriculture and assess their impacts on food production and sustainability.
Investigate the development and impact of key policies and regulations on agricultural sustainability and food production.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

With the world population expected to hit 9.7 billion by 2050, the global food system faces growing challenges to meet demand sustainably. This course examines key issues in food and agriculture, guided by industry experts and researchers. Agriculture is a dynamic, evolving sector. Upon completing this course, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the modern challenges and innovations shaping the journey from farm to table.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the 4-week graduate-level course that can be stacked toward the Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics graduate certificate and a graduate degree. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.

In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. In the second part of this module, you will be able to explain the impact of population growth on food demand and agricultural sustainability, describe the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria in agricultural practices, and examine the implications of CO2 pipelines on agricultural land and food production.

What's included

16 videos12 readings2 assignments3 plugins

16 videos Total 59 minutes

Course Introduction 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Nicholas D. Paulson 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Ailie Elmore 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Joana Colussi 3 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Paul B. Stoddard 2 minutes
Module 1 Introduction 3 minutes
Population Growth and Food Demand 6 minutes
What is ESG & Why Do People Care? 5 minutes
Manure Management 5 minutes
Economics and Measures of Sustainable Agriculture 2 minutes
Water Quality and Nutrient Management in Agriculture Production 6 minutes
Barriers and Incentives to Adopt Sustainable Agricultural Practices 6 minutes
Global Issues in Sustainable Agriculture 3 minutes
Agricultural Production and Human Health 4 minutes
Impact of CO2 Pipelines on Agriculture 6 minutes
Module 1 Summary 2 minutes

12 readings Total 76 minutes

Syllabus 10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways 10 minutes
Updating Your Profile 10 minutes
Getting to Know Your Classmates 10 minutes
Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems 2 minutes
Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply 5 minutes
Fertilizer Rates Increase in the Top 10 Hog States, But Excess Nutrient Levels Are Falling 2 minutes
Cover Crops Can Influence Soil Health, Even Within the First Few Years After Adoption 2 minutes
Conservation Practices With Greater Benefits to Farmers and Ranchers Have Higher EQIP Completion Rates 2 minutes
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy 2023 Biennial Report Executive Summary 10 minutes
Common Ground for Agriculture and Solar Energy: Federal Funding Supports Research and Development in Agrivoltaics 2 minutes
Utility-Scale Solar and Wind Development in Rural Areas 11 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Orientation Quiz 30 minutes
Module 1 Quiz 30 minutes

3 plugins Total 12 minutes

Feeding the World, Climate Change, and Digital Agriculture (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink) 4 minutes
Illinois Extension: Regenerative Agriculture: A Family Tradition (Illinois Extension) 3 minutes
U. of I. Energy Farm & Bioenergy crops (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink) 5 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to describe the impact of consumer behavior on agricultural practices and food policy, examine the economic implications of traceability and the farmer's share of the food dollar, and identify global issues related to consumer preferences and food labeling.

What's included

8 videos7 readings1 assignment

8 videos Total 35 minutes

Module 2 Introduction 3 minutes
Traceability 7 minutes
Farmer's Share of the Food Dollar: Costs vs. Returns to the Producer 3 minutes
Consumer Behavior Over Time 6 minutes
Food Policy, Desired Attributes, and Labeling 6 minutes
Consumer Preferences and Identity Labeling 4 minutes
Consumer Behaviors: Global Issues, Politics, and Food Labeling 5 minutes
Module 2 Summary 2 minutes

7 readings Total 16 minutes

Food Traceability: One Ingredient in a Safe and Efficient Food Supply 2 minutes
U.S. Consumers Increased Spending on Food Away From Home in 2023, Driving Overall Food Spending Growth 2 minutes
Calorie Labels at Restaurants: Half of Adults Notice, but Some More Than Others 2 minutes
US Farm Policy: USDA Certified Organic Production 3 minutes
Consumers’ Interpretation of Food Labels with Production Claims Can Influence Purchases 2 minutes
2018 Farm Bill Primer: Support for Local Food Systems 3 minutes
Prevalence of the “Natural” Label Varies by Food Category 2 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz 30 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to describe the technological advancements in agriculture and their rate of adoption, explain the history, use, and application of crop genetics and gene editing, describe the evolution of pesticides and fertilizers and examine opportunities and challenges associated with these inputs, and examine the roles of information technology and artificial intelligence in agriculture and food production systems.

What's included

16 videos4 readings1 assignment2 plugins

16 videos Total 70 minutes

Module 3 Introduction 3 minutes
Technological Advancements in Agriculture & Rate of Adoption 5 minutes
Technological Advancements in Agriculture: Mechanization 4 minutes
Genetically Modified (or Engineered) Seeds (GMOs) 5 minutes
CRISPR Gene Editing Technology 5 minutes
History of Chemical & Fertilizer Use and the Green Revolution 7 minutes
Organic & Synthetic Fertilizers: Costs and Rate of Adoption 3 minutes
Biologicals: Opportunities and Challenges 4 minutes
Precision Agriculture 6 minutes
Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence 3 minutes
Costs and Benefits 5 minutes
History of Data Management and Rate of Adoption 6 minutes
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 4 minutes
Data-Driven Decisions in Agriculture Production 6 minutes
Integration of Technology: Challenges and Opportunities 4 minutes
Module 3 Summary 2 minutes

4 readings Total 23 minutes

Biotechnology 1 minute
Fertilizers & Pesticides 2 minutes
Precision Agriculture in the Digital Era: Recent Adoption on U.S. Farms 10 minutes
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators, 2019 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz 30 minutes

2 plugins Total 10 minutes

Green Revolution, World Hunger and Population, Photosynthesis Efficiency (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink) 4 minutes
Crop Genetics, Gene Editing, GMOs, & CRISPR Genetic Engineering (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink) 6 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to explain the historical development and structure of the U.S. Farm Bill, describe the programs and policies included in the U.S. Farm Bill, and examine ways the U.S. Farm Bill impacts food production, agriculture, and consumers. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!

What's included

9 videos9 readings2 assignments

9 videos Total 44 minutes

Module 4 Introduction 2 minutes
History of the U.S. Farm Bill 7 minutes
Farm Programs in the U.S. Farm Bill (Commodities, Crop Insurance, and Conservation) 8 minutes
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 5 minutes
Biofuels and Energy 3 minutes
Trade Policy 7 minutes
Ad Hoc Assistance Programs 7 minutes
Module 4 Summary 2 minutes
Course Summary 2 minutes

9 readings Total 46 minutes

What is the Farm Bill? 2 minutes
Farm Bill Primer: Conservation Title 2 minutes
2018 Farm Bill Primer: Specialty Crops and Organic Agriculture 2 minutes
Farm Bill Primer: SNAP and Nutrition Title Programs 2 minutes
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview 6 minutes
Farm Bill Primer: Farm Safety Net Programs 2 minutes
Congratulations! 10 minutes
Stack your Coursera coursework toward a Graduate Certificate 10 minutes
Get Your Course Certificate 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 120 minutes

Module 4 Quiz 30 minutes
Final Assessment | Quiz 90 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(6 ratings)

Ailie Elmore

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

6 Courses 10,815 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Frequently asked questions

Yes! Although completion of the Coursera course alone is not credit-bearing, it is a required component of a graduate-level Canvas course that can be "stacked" toward advanced credentials such as an academic (transcriptable) graduate certificate or a degree. If you decide to pursue further education, the credits you earn from this course can be applied toward a formal academic program, provided that you meet all the requirements of admission to the certificate or degree.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.