Strategies and Tools to Mitigate Agricultural Risk

Overview

Learners will examine risk management strategies for crop production, discuss techniques and programs to mitigate financial risk, and describe the types of rental agreements for agricultural land use. Learners will also explore traditional and innovative risk management strategies used in agricultural food production. This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate certificate, "Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics" that can be stacked toward an advanced degree in the College of ACES or the Gies College of Business. 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

COURSE ORIENTATION & MODULE 1 | Crop Production Risks

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 water management strategies for crop production, discuss crop production inputs and equipment decisions to mitigate risks of agricultural production, and describe pesticide and fertilizer plans for pest management.

MODULE 2 | Mitigation of Financial Risk in Agriculture

At the conclusion of this module, you will describe insurance and government programs for crop production, discuss agricultural marketing strategies, and explain the various types of agricultural credit and grain storage options for producers.

MODULE 3 | Mitigation of Agricultural Land Risk

At the conclusion of this module, you will describe the types of land rental agreements in agricultural production and describe the variables associated with owning and managing agricultural land.

MODULE 4 | Other Risk Mitigation Tools in Agriculture

At the conclusion of this module, you will describe traditional risk management practices of agricultural production (e.g., livestock production, off-farm employment, and government payments) and discuss innovative risk management strategies (e.g., greenhouses and agritourism). At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!