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Simona Grasso,
Dimitrios Paraforos,
Thomas Engel,
Dimitrios Argyropoulos,
Daphne Hoogeveen,
Peter Jens,
Rafael Eduardo Pompa,
Evangelos Kodosakis,
and
Markus Knapp
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for anyone interested in gaining an understanding of EU farming. It will be particularly useful for professionals working in the food industry who have no background in agriculture. You can use the hashtag #FLSustainableFood to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for anyone interested in gaining an understanding of EU farming. It will be particularly useful for professionals working in the food industry who have no background in agriculture. You can use the hashtag #FLSustainableFood to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
Read more
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is designed for anyone interested in gaining an understanding of EU farming. It will be particularly useful for professionals working in the food industry who have no background in agriculture. You can use the hashtag #FLSustainableFood to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- What ‘sustainability’ means and how it applies to farming.
- How crops are grown in the EU - both arable and horticultural.
- How livestock is farmed in the EU to produce meat, dairy products and eggs.
- The challenges of feeding a rapidly expanding global population.
- The trade-offs involved in financially viable organic, environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable production methods.
- Which technologies are providing the most sustainable solutions.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
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Reviews summary
Understanding sustainable eu food production
According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to sustainable food production in the EU. It is frequently highlighted for its clear explanations and its relevance for those new to agriculture, especially food industry professionals without a farming background. Students appreciate the overview of EU crop and livestock farming methods, the challenges of feeding a global population, and the trade-offs in production methods. While praised for being a great starting point, some learners with existing agricultural knowledge found it too introductory and suggested it could benefit from more in-depth case studies or advanced concepts. Overall, it is considered a valuable foundation for its intended audience.
Covers key aspects from crop and livestock to global challenges and technology.
"I appreciated the modules on the challenges of feeding a growing population and the trade-offs in farming methods."
"The course covers a wide range of topics, from arable farming to sustainable technologies."
"It truly expanded my perspective on food systems by covering key areas comprehensively."
Concentrates on agricultural practices and sustainability within the European Union.
"A very good overview of sustainable food production, especially within the EU context."
"I found the modules covering crop production and livestock in the EU particularly insightful."
"The information on EU specific regulations was helpful for my understanding."
Particularly useful for professionals in the food industry seeking foundational knowledge.
"This course was incredibly useful as a food industry professional with no prior agriculture knowledge."
"I gained a much better understanding of sustainable food systems relevant to my role."
"The content gave me the foundational perspective I needed on EU farming practices."
Provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to sustainable farming.
"As someone working in the food industry with no farming background, this course was incredibly eye-opening."
"It provided a solid introduction to sustainable practices in EU agriculture."
"Fantastic course for anyone wanting to understand sustainable food production! The content was well-researched."
May be too basic for learners with existing agricultural knowledge.
"For someone with a basic understanding of agriculture, much of it was a recap."
"I found the course quite basic and at times, it felt like it glossed over important details."
"I was looking for something more in-depth for my work; it might be okay for a very casual learner."
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Explore How Farmers Produce Food Sustainably.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
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Learners who complete Explore How Farmers Produce Food Sustainably will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
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Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Focuses on designing and building resilient, low-input systems for food production andत्ते. It integrates permaculture principles, offering practical strategies for creating sustainable homesteads and farms.
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Explores the ecological principles that underpin sustainable agriculture. It covers topics such as agroecosystems, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and pest management. Written by Miguel Altieri, a renowned agroecologist, this book provides a deep understanding of the ecological foundations of sustainable agriculture.
Series publishes peer-reviewed articles on various aspects of sustainable agriculture. Each volume focuses on a specific topic, providing in-depth coverage of the latest research and developments in the field. It valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students who want to stay abreast of the latest advancements in sustainable agriculture.
Examines the challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainability in agriculture. It covers topics such as climate change, water scarcity, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. Written by Eric Lichtfouse, a leading environmental scientist, it provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state of agriculture and its future prospects.
Explores the challenges and opportunities of organic agriculture. It covers topics such as soil management, pest control, and market development. Written by a team of experts, it provides a practical guide to the principles and practices of organic farming.
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Presents innovative strategies and practices for sustainable agriculture. It covers topics such as crop diversification, water conservation, and renewable energy. Written by Rajesh Krishnan, a leading expert in sustainable agriculture, it provides a practical guide to implementing sustainable practices on farms.
Explores the latest advancements in sustainable agriculture, including agroecology, precision agriculture, and organic farming. It covers topics such as soil health, pest management, and climate change adaptation. Written by a team of experts, it provides a comprehensive overview of the emerging trends and technologies in sustainable agriculture.
This encyclopedia provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable agriculture, covering a wide range of topics from soil management to climate change adaptation. It is written by a team of experts and provides a valuable reference for researchers, practitioners, and students in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture. It covers topics such as soil management, water conservation, pest control, and climate change adaptation. Written by a team of experts, it provides a practical guide to implementing sustainable practices on farms.
Examines the role of sustainable agriculture in the global food system. It covers topics such as food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. Written by David Cleveland, a leading expert in sustainable agriculture, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities in achieving a more sustainable food system.
Provides a broad overview of the modern food system, tracing the origins of different food chains. It's excellent for gaining foundational knowledge and understanding the context in which sustainable agriculture operates. While not a technical guide, it highlights the issues that sustainable agriculture aims to address and is often used as introductory reading in related courses.
Considered a foundational text in organic and sustainable farming, this book offers practical tools and techniques for small-scale growers. It's highly relevant for those looking to understand the hands-on aspects of sustainable practices and is often recommended for undergraduate students and practitioners.
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A pivotal work that brought environmental concerns, particularly the impact of pesticides, to the forefront. While published decades ago, it remains a crucial read for understanding the historical context and the environmental imperative behind the sustainable agriculture movement. It's more valuable for historical context than as a current technical reference.
This classic work offers a philosophical and cultural critique of industrial agriculture, advocating for a more integrated and community-based approach to farming. It provides essential context on the societal implications of agricultural practices and is highly relevant for understanding the broader vision of sustainable agriculture.
Presents a radical, 'do-nothing' approach to farming based on natural processes. It's a classic in the field of natural farming and permaculture, offering a different perspective on working with nature rather than against it. It's particularly insightful for those seeking alternative, low-intervention methods.
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Chronicles a farmer's successful transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture, focusing on practical steps to improve soil health. It's highly relevant for understanding real-world applications of sustainable practices and valuable resource for farmers and students alike.
Explores the critical role of soil health in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable agriculture. It's an engaging read that connects scientific research with the work of farmers and provides a compelling argument for prioritizing soil health.
Presents a system of perennial agriculture that mimics natural ecosystems. It's a key text in the permaculture movement and offers a long-term vision for sustainable food production by integrating diverse species.
Delves into the fascinating world of soil microbiology and its importance for plant health and sustainable gardening. It's an excellent resource for understanding the biological basis of healthy soil, a fundamental aspect of sustainable agriculture.
Comprehensive overview of sustainable agriculture, covering its definition, principles, and practices. It is written by Jules Pretty, a leading expert in the field, and provides a thorough understanding of the subject matter. It is particularly useful for those who are new to sustainable agriculture or want to gain a broader perspective on the topic.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
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Time
9 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institutions
University of Reading
EIT Food
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
Instructors
Simona Grasso
Dimitrios Paraforos
Thomas Engel
Dimitrios Argyropoulos
Daphne Hoogeveen
Peter Jens
Rafael Eduardo Pompa
Evangelos Kodosakis
Markus Knapp
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