Modern Issues in Food & Agriculture

Overview

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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.

Syllabus

ORIENTATION & MODULE 1 | Sustainability and Conservation in Agriculture

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.

MODULE 2 | Consumer Trends and Impacts on Agriculture

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.

MODULE 3 | Technological Advancements in Agriculture

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.

MODULE 4 | Policies that Shape the Food and Agriculture Landscape

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!