Supply Chain of Agriculture

Overview

Learners will be introduced to the production and distribution of agricultural commodities and food products. Topics will cover the full range of the agriculture supply chain, from pre-farm to the consumer, to provide students with a better understanding and appreciation for where and how crops and livestock are produced, and the systems used to distribute products to consumers. As a result of completing this course, learners will be able to describe the global nature of food chains from input supply to final consumer and explain the important drivers of demand for food products throughout the world. 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

ORIENTATION & MODULE 1 | Supply & Use of Agriculture Products

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 describe the uses of agricultural land, and explain the varied ways agricultural producers use land to produce food and food products.

MODULE 2 | Agricultural Supply Chain

In this module, you will describe the agricultural supply chain, define agricultural commodities, and explain farm production cycles.

MODULE 3 | Productivity Variables & History of Seed Genetics

In this module, you will define agricultural inputs, describe the historical change of farm production inputs, examine the impact of precision agriculture and technology on global food production, and explain Cochrane's Treadmill Theory.

MODULE 4 | Developments in Agriculture & Environmental Concerns

In this module, you will discuss the consolidation of the agricultural industry, explain soil and land productivity, examine the connection between productivity and food insecurity, and discuss environmental concerns of agriculture. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!