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Nicholas Paulson, Ph.D.,
Gary Schnitkey, Ph.D.,
Ailie Elmore,
Joana Colussi, Ph.D.,
Paul B. Stoddard,
and
Bruce Sherrick, Ph.D.
Learners will be able to describe the crop production cycles of agriculture for annual and permanent crops, explain the financial characteristics and risks of food production, discuss the various types of land ownership and rental agreements for the use of agricultural land, and describe personal, external, and food production risks that influence decision-making in agriculture.
Read more
Learners will be able to describe the crop production cycles of agriculture for annual and permanent crops, explain the financial characteristics and risks of food production, discuss the various types of land ownership and rental agreements for the use of agricultural land, and describe personal, external, and food production risks that influence decision-making in agriculture.
Read more
Learners will be able to describe the crop production cycles of agriculture for annual and permanent crops, explain the financial characteristics and risks of food production, discuss the various types of land ownership and rental agreements for the use of agricultural land, and describe personal, external, and food production risks that influence decision-making in agriculture.
This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate-level course, "Risk and Decision-Making in Agriculture" that can be stacked toward a graduate certificate and 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 @ aces.illinois.edu/online.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/z0lmrz/risks
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What's inside
Syllabus
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.
Read more
Syllabus
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.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Covers a broad range of topics relevant to agriculture, including crop production, financial risks, land tenure, and risk management
Taught by experts in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a renowned institution for agricultural research and education
Provides a solid foundation in the principles and practices of agriculture, making it suitable for beginners in the field
May be particularly valuable for individuals considering a career in agricultural management, finance, or related fields
Includes interactive materials, such as videos and discussion forums, to enhance the learning experience
Requires students to have a basic understanding of agricultural concepts, which may not be suitable for complete beginners
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Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary
Comprehensive agriculture risk overview
According to students, this course provides a comprehensive and well-structured overview of agricultural risks, deemed highly relevant for professionals and aspiring individuals in the sector. Learners frequently highlight the clear explanations and the course's ability to make complex topics accessible. Key features like financial characteristics, land tenure, and global trade impacts are consistently praised. While the course offers a solid foundation, a few learners with prior agricultural experience found some initial content somewhat basic or desired more practical case studies for real-world application, suggesting it’s particularly strong for beginners to intermediate learners.
Well-organized with clearly explained concepts.
"The content was well-structured and easy to follow, making complex topics accessible."
"I found the instructor's explanations clear and the examples used highly relevant."
"I appreciate the clear structure and the way each module built upon the previous one."
"The modules are well-organized, and I felt the instructors were clearly experts in their field."
Offers highly applicable insights for agricultural professionals.
"I particularly appreciated the modules on financial characteristics and land tenure, which are crucial for anyone in the agricultural sector."
"I learned practical insights I can apply directly."
"The information on financial risks was particularly relevant to my work."
"I found this course foundational for my work in agricultural economics or farm management."
Delivers a thorough overview of agricultural risks.
"This course provided an excellent overview of the many risks involved in crop production."
"Absolutely fantastic course! As someone working in farm management, it covered everything from production cycles to land agreements and external risks thoroughly."
"I gained a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted risks in agriculture."
"This course gave me a solid introduction to agricultural risks, laying a strong foundation."
Some desire more case studies and interactive elements.
"While the information is valuable, I was hoping for more case studies or practical examples on how to mitigate these risks in real-world scenarios."
"It's a good academic overview, but perhaps less 'hands-on' than I expected."
"My only suggestion for improvement would be to include more interactive elements."
May be too basic for those with extensive prior experience.
"I found this course somewhat basic for my needs. As someone with an existing background in agriculture, much of the initial content felt like a review."
"As an intermediate learner, I didn't find enough new, deep insights."
"The lectures were clear, but the depth wasn't there for me."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Risks to Crop Production in Agriculture with these
activities:
Read "Sustainable Agriculture: A Systems Approach" by Eric Lichtfouse
Show steps
Gain valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices by delving into the research and perspectives presented in this comprehensive book.
View
Environmental Chemistry
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read and summarize key chapters related to the course topics.
-
Identify and analyze case studies of sustainable agriculture systems.
-
Write a short review or critique of the book's main arguments.
Review Crop Production and Nutrient Management Concepts
Show steps
Review the fundamental concepts of crop production and nutrient management to strengthen your comprehension of the material covered in the course.
Browse courses on
Crop Production
Show steps
-
Revisit textbooks or online resources on crop production.
-
Review notes and summaries from previous coursework in related areas.
-
Solve practice problems related to nutrient management and crop growth.
Create a Crop Budget and Financial Analysis
Show steps
Develop a comprehensive crop budget and financial analysis to solidify your understanding of financial management in agriculture.
Show steps
-
Estimate production costs, including seed, fertilizer, and labor.
-
Research and incorporate market prices for crops and inputs.
-
Analyze potential sources of funding and calculate return on investment.
-
Prepare a written report summarizing your findings.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Land Tenure and Rental Agreement Exercises
Show steps
Engage in practice exercises that explore various land tenure and rental agreement options to deepen your grasp of land management.
Show steps
-
Analyze different types of land ownership arrangements.
-
Draft sample rental agreements for agricultural land.
-
Calculate potential returns and risks associated with different land tenure options.
Discussion Forum on Risk Management Strategies
Show steps
Engage in peer discussions to share and evaluate risk management strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of decision-making in agriculture.
Show steps
-
Identify and discuss various risk factors in agricultural production.
-
Explore case studies and examples of successful risk management strategies.
-
Develop a personal risk management plan.
Tutor Students in Crop Production and Agricultural Economics
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding by assisting other students in understanding the concepts of crop production and agricultural economics, promoting a deeper comprehension of the subject matter.
Show steps
-
Identify opportunities to tutor or mentor others in related courses.
-
Prepare lesson plans and materials to support student learning.
-
Provide guidance and feedback to students on coursework and assignments.
Develop a Sustainable Agriculture Plan
Show steps
Conceptualize and create a comprehensive plan that addresses sustainable practices in agriculture, demonstrating your ability to apply the principles learned in the course.
Show steps
-
Research best practices and innovative technologies for sustainable agriculture.
-
Identify and analyze potential environmental and economic impacts of different practices.
-
Create a written plan outlining specific strategies and implementation timelines.
-
Present your plan to classmates or industry professionals for feedback and critique.
Read "Sustainable Agriculture: A Systems Approach" by Eric Lichtfouse
Show steps
Gain valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices by delving into the research and perspectives presented in this comprehensive book.
View
Environmental Chemistry
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read and summarize key chapters related to the course topics.
- Identify and analyze case studies of sustainable agriculture systems.
- Write a short review or critique of the book's main arguments.
Review Crop Production and Nutrient Management Concepts
Show steps
Review the fundamental concepts of crop production and nutrient management to strengthen your comprehension of the material covered in the course.
Browse courses on
Crop Production
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Revisit textbooks or online resources on crop production.
- Review notes and summaries from previous coursework in related areas.
- Solve practice problems related to nutrient management and crop growth.
Create a Crop Budget and Financial Analysis
Show steps
Develop a comprehensive crop budget and financial analysis to solidify your understanding of financial management in agriculture.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Estimate production costs, including seed, fertilizer, and labor.
- Research and incorporate market prices for crops and inputs.
- Analyze potential sources of funding and calculate return on investment.
- Prepare a written report summarizing your findings.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Land Tenure and Rental Agreement Exercises
Show steps
Engage in practice exercises that explore various land tenure and rental agreement options to deepen your grasp of land management.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Analyze different types of land ownership arrangements.
- Draft sample rental agreements for agricultural land.
- Calculate potential returns and risks associated with different land tenure options.
Discussion Forum on Risk Management Strategies
Show steps
Engage in peer discussions to share and evaluate risk management strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of decision-making in agriculture.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify and discuss various risk factors in agricultural production.
- Explore case studies and examples of successful risk management strategies.
- Develop a personal risk management plan.
Tutor Students in Crop Production and Agricultural Economics
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding by assisting other students in understanding the concepts of crop production and agricultural economics, promoting a deeper comprehension of the subject matter.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify opportunities to tutor or mentor others in related courses.
- Prepare lesson plans and materials to support student learning.
- Provide guidance and feedback to students on coursework and assignments.
Develop a Sustainable Agriculture Plan
Show steps
Conceptualize and create a comprehensive plan that addresses sustainable practices in agriculture, demonstrating your ability to apply the principles learned in the course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research best practices and innovative technologies for sustainable agriculture.
- Identify and analyze potential environmental and economic impacts of different practices.
- Create a written plan outlining specific strategies and implementation timelines.
- Present your plan to classmates or industry professionals for feedback and critique.
Career center
Learners who complete Risks to Crop Production in Agriculture will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Farm Manager
Farm Manager
Farm Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of farms, including crop production, livestock care, and financial management. This course can be a valuable asset for aspiring Farm Managers by providing a comprehensive overview of crop production cycles, financial risks, and land ownership structures. Understanding these concepts can help Farm Managers make informed decisions, maximize efficiency, and increase profitability.
Farm Business Consultant
Farm Business Consultant
Farm Business Consultants provide advice and support to farmers on business management, financial planning, and risk management. This course can be an asset for Farm Business Consultants by enhancing their understanding of the financial characteristics, risks, and decision-making processes in agriculture. Specifically, Module 2 on Financial Characteristics and Risks in Agriculture can help Farm Business Consultants identify and mitigate financial risks, improve cash flow management, and support farmers in making sound business decisions.
Land Use Planner
Land Use Planner
Land Use Planners develop and implement plans for the use of land in a sustainable manner. This course can provide a strong foundation for Land Use Planners by exploring land ownership, rental agreements, and sustainability concerns in agriculture. Module 3 dives deep into the types of land ownership, various rental options, and environmental considerations, equipping individuals to make informed decisions about land use and management.
Agricultural Journalist
Agricultural Journalist
Agricultural Journalists write and report on issues related to agriculture, food production, and the environment. This course can provide a valuable foundation for Agricultural Journalists by giving them a comprehensive overview of crop production cycles, financial risks, and land ownership structures in agriculture. Understanding these concepts can help Agricultural Journalists accurately report on agricultural topics and inform the public about the challenges and opportunities in the industry.
Agricultural Economist
Agricultural Economist
Agricultural Economists apply economic principles to the agricultural industry, analyzing issues such as production, marketing, and policy. This course can serve as a valuable resource for Agricultural Economists by enhancing their understanding of crop production cycles, financial risks, and the impact of external factors on agricultural decision-making. The knowledge gained from this course can contribute to more informed economic analysis and policy recommendations.
Agricultural Educator
Agricultural Educator
Agricultural Educators teach students about agriculture, including crop production, livestock care, and environmental stewardship. This course can provide a strong foundation for Agricultural Educators by giving them a comprehensive overview of crop production cycles, financial risks, and land ownership structures. Sharing this knowledge with students can help prepare them for careers in agriculture and foster a greater understanding of the industry.
Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
Sustainable Agriculture Specialist
Sustainable Agriculture Specialists develop and implement strategies to promote sustainable agricultural practices that minimize environmental impact and preserve natural resources. This course can provide a strong foundation for Sustainable Agriculture Specialists by exploring the various factors influencing risk and decision-making in agriculture. Module 4 examines external factors such as global trade, energy use, and legal issues, enabling Sustainable Agriculture Specialists to understand the broader context and develop effective sustainability strategies.
Agriculture Extension Agent
Agriculture Extension Agent
Agriculture Extension Agents provide education and outreach programs to farmers and the public on agricultural practices, technologies, and policies. This course can be beneficial for Agriculture Extension Agents by enhancing their understanding of crop production cycles, financial risks, and land tenure issues in agriculture. Sharing this knowledge can help farmers make informed decisions, adopt best practices, and improve their agricultural operations.
Agriculture Loan Officer
Agriculture Loan Officer
Agriculture Loan Officers help farmers obtain loans to expand their operations, acquire new land, or purchase equipment. This course can help prepare individuals for this role by providing a deep understanding of the financial risks and opportunities within agriculture. Specifically, Module 2 covers capital intensity, cash flow volatility, and financial characteristics of farms. This knowledge can help Agriculture Loan Officers make informed lending decisions and guide farmers towards success.
Conservation Specialist
Conservation Specialist
Conservation Specialists develop and implement plans to conserve natural resources, including soil, water, and wildlife habitats. This course can provide a foundation for Conservation Specialists by exploring the various factors influencing risk and decision-making in agriculture. Module 4 examines external factors such as global trade, energy use, and legal issues, enabling Conservation Specialists to understand the broader context and develop effective conservation strategies.
Agricultural Policy Analyst
Agricultural Policy Analyst
Agricultural Policy Analysts research, analyze, and advise on policies and regulations affecting the agricultural industry. This course may be beneficial for individuals pursuing this role by providing insights into the external factors that influence risk and decision-making in agriculture. Module 4 examines policy, global trade, energy use, and legal issues, helping Agricultural Policy Analysts understand the broader context and implications of agricultural policies.
Agricultural Research Scientist
Agricultural Research Scientist
Agricultural Research Scientists conduct research to improve crop yields, develop new agricultural technologies, and address challenges in food production. This course may be useful for Agricultural Research Scientists by providing a broad understanding of crop production cycles, financial risks, and land tenure issues in agriculture. This knowledge can inform their research and contribute to the development of innovative solutions and sustainable agricultural practices.
Soil Scientist
Soil Scientist
Soil Scientists study soil properties, classification, and management to improve soil health and productivity. This course may be useful for Soil Scientists by providing an understanding of crop production cycles, financial risks, and land tenure issues in agriculture. This knowledge can help them assess soil quality, develop soil management plans, and advise farmers on sustainable agricultural practices.
Crop Insurance Specialist
Crop Insurance Specialist
Crop Insurance Specialists help farmers manage risk by providing insurance against crop damage or loss. This course may be useful for Crop Insurance Specialists by deepening their understanding of crop production and the various risks involved. Module 1 covers the crop production cycles of annual and permanent crops, while Module 4 explores personal, external, and production risks that influence decision-making in agriculture. This knowledge can assist Crop Insurance Specialists in evaluating risk and developing appropriate insurance products.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants provide advice and support to businesses and organizations on environmental issues, including agriculture's impact on the environment. This course may be useful for Environmental Consultants by providing a deeper understanding of crop production cycles, financial risks, and land tenure issues in agriculture. This knowledge can help them assess environmental impacts, develop mitigation strategies, and advise clients on sustainable agricultural practices.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/z0lmrz/risks
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Risks to Crop Production in Agriculture.
Defines the concept of sustainable agriculture and explores the key terms associated with it. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topic for readers new to the field.
Save
Explores the economic impacts of climate change and discusses adaptation strategies. It provides valuable insights into the implications of climate change for agriculture.
This practical handbook provides comprehensive information on crop protection strategies, including pest and disease management. It valuable reference tool for those seeking practical guidance on crop protection.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of integrated pest management strategies, emphasizing the importance of ecological principles. It valuable resource for those seeking to understand and implement sustainable pest management practices.
Save
Explores the concept of agricultural sustainability, examining its economic, environmental, and social dimensions. It provides thought-provoking insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable agriculture.
Examines the interactions between agricultural systems, agronomy, and environmental science. It provides insights into the impact of agricultural practices on the environment and the role of sustainable agriculture in addressing environmental challenges.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/z0lmrz/risks
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Effort
4 weeks of study, 2.5 hours/week
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Instructors
Nicholas Paulson, Ph.D.
Gary Schnitkey, Ph.D.
Ailie Elmore
Joana Colussi, Ph.D.
Paul B. Stoddard
Bruce Sherrick, Ph.D.
Language
English
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