The Future of Farming: Exploring Climate Smart Agriculture from FutureLearn

Week 1: Week 2: Week 3: 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 There are no special requirements for this course. It will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about modern food production, farming and environmental challenges. You can use the hashtag #FLFutureofFarming to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Climate change and greenhouse gases
The interactions between climate change and agriculture
Food security
Climate smart agriculture; history, principles and examples
Different views on the food production system
The basics of milk production, cow husbandry, digestion and herd management
Greenhouse gas emissions and the possibilities for reducing them, within dairy farming
The importance of plants for our atmosphere
Other forms of sustainable farming
Possible options for reducing energy consumption
The basics of wine production
General, sustainable crop management practices
Problems for the wine industry created by climate change
Possibilities for adapting the wine industry to climate change
Examples of how data can be used to help make decisions in agriculture
Critical views regarding climate smart agriculture

Reviews summary

Climate-smart agriculture essentials

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and well-structured overview of climate-smart agriculture. It is largely seen as highly relevant to current global challenges in food production and sustainability, providing practical insights that can be applied. While some experienced professionals may find the content introductory rather than deeply specialized, a significant number of students, including those new to the field, praise its clear explanations and engaging presentation. The course effectively covers diverse topics, from dairy to wine production, with discussions on reducing environmental impact.

Best for those seeking an introduction or broad understanding.

"As someone with prior experience in agriculture, I found some parts a bit basic, wishing for more advanced scientific detail."

"It’s a great introductory course for anyone curious about sustainable farming, but not for experts seeking specialized technical deep dives."

"I felt it was perfect for building a foundation, making complex topics approachable for beginners in the field."

Instruction is clear and the course structure is effective.

"The lecturers presented the information in a very clear and engaging manner, making complex topics easy to digest."

"I found the course well-organized, with a logical flow that helped me build my knowledge progressively."

"The discussions and additional resources provided were very helpful in solidifying my understanding of the topics."

Showcases relevance across various agricultural sectors.

"I enjoyed the diverse examples, especially the modules on wine production and dairy farming, which added significant value."

"The course did a great job of highlighting how climate smart agriculture principles apply across different agricultural contexts, from crops to livestock."

"It was fascinating to learn about the specific challenges and adaptations within the wine industry due to climate change."

Content is highly applicable to real-world challenges.

"The course content is very relevant, especially the focus on actual farming practices and global food security challenges."

"I've learned practical strategies for improving my understanding of sustainable farming, which I can apply in my work."

"The material on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in dairy farming was particularly useful for my operational context."

Provides a valuable introduction to climate-smart agriculture.

"This course provided a good overview and introduction to the world of climate smart agriculture. It's truly a must for those working in or interested in farming."

"It’s an excellent overview of the many concepts of climate-smart agriculture, making complex ideas accessible and understandable."

"I found it to be a very helpful introduction to this topic. It's well-structured and covers a broad range of relevant areas."

Suggestions for more current data and advanced content.

"Some of the data and case studies felt a bit outdated; I hope they can update it with more recent developments."

"I would have preferred more current examples and perhaps a module on cutting-edge technologies being adopted today."

"For intermediate learners, more specific and advanced topics or technologies would make the course even stronger."

Career center

Learners who complete The Future of Farming: Exploring Climate Smart Agriculture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers: