Agriculture as an Asset Class

Overview

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Modern agriculture has evolved into an accessible and lucrative asset class for a wide range of investors. Gain insights into the financial performance of this capital-intensive industry, anchored in valuable real estate assets and agricultural investments. Learners who enroll in this course will examine the scale, structure, and capital frameworks of the agricultural sector, explore the innovative channels emerging for investment, and explore the dynamics of agricultural financing. 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 | Balance Sheet and Capital Structure of 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 explore the distinctions and commonalities between balance sheets and income statements, understand the capital structure and density of agricultural production, and compare the viewpoints of producers and investors on farmland investments.

MODULE 2 | Farmland as an Institutional Investment and Economic Drivers Impacting Performance

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to identify the factors affecting land values and discuss the historical changes of farmland values and returns.

MODULE 3 | Who Owns Farmland and Why

At the conclusion of this module, you will characterize the investors of farmland and describe their motivations to purchase land. Learners will also analyze land transfer options and the tax considerations of land transfer.

MODULE 4 | Financing Institutions, Risk Management, and Modern Issues in Agriculture Investing

At the conclusion of this module, you will describe financing institutions associated with farmland investments, discuss risks and risk management strategies for farmland investments, and examine modern issues in agriculture investing. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!