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Modern Issues in Food & Agriculture

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Modern Issues in Food & Agriculture

This course is part of Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics Specialization

Instructors: Ailie Elmore

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

12 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

12 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Describe and evaluate sustainable agricultural practices and conservation strategies in food production agriculture.
Examine how consumer behavior and trends influence agricultural practices and food policy.
Explore the evolution and advancements in technological innovations in agriculture and assess their impacts on food production and sustainability.
Investigate the development and impact of key policies and regulations on agricultural sustainability and food production.

Skills you'll gain

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 4 modules in this course

With the world population expected to hit 9.7 billion by 2050, the global food system faces growing challenges to meet demand sustainably. This course examines key issues in food and agriculture, guided by industry experts and researchers. Agriculture is a dynamic, evolving sector. Upon completing this course, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of the modern challenges and innovations shaping the journey from farm to table.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the 4-week graduate-level course that can be stacked toward the Agribusiness and Sustainable Food Production Economics graduate certificate and a 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 at acesonline.illinois.edu.

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 be able to explain the impact of population growth on food demand and agricultural sustainability, describe the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria in agricultural practices, and examine the implications of CO2 pipelines on agricultural land and food production.

What's included

16 videos12 readings2 assignments3 plugins

16 videosTotal 59 minutes

Course Introduction2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Nicholas D. Paulson2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Ailie Elmore2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Joana Colussi3 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Paul B. Stoddard2 minutes
Module 1 Introduction3 minutes
Population Growth and Food Demand6 minutes
What is ESG & Why Do People Care? 5 minutes
Manure Management5 minutes
Economics and Measures of Sustainable Agriculture2 minutes
Water Quality and Nutrient Management in Agriculture Production 6 minutes
Barriers and Incentives to Adopt Sustainable Agricultural Practices6 minutes
Global Issues in Sustainable Agriculture3 minutes
Agricultural Production and Human Health4 minutes
Impact of CO2 Pipelines on Agriculture6 minutes
Module 1 Summary2 minutes

12 readingsTotal 76 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways10 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes
Definitions: Sustainability and Food Systems2 minutes
Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply5 minutes
Fertilizer Rates Increase in the Top 10 Hog States, But Excess Nutrient Levels Are Falling2 minutes
Cover Crops Can Influence Soil Health, Even Within the First Few Years After Adoption2 minutes
Conservation Practices With Greater Benefits to Farmers and Ranchers Have Higher EQIP Completion Rates2 minutes
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy 2023 Biennial Report Executive Summary10 minutes
Common Ground for Agriculture and Solar Energy: Federal Funding Supports Research and Development in Agrivoltaics2 minutes
Utility-Scale Solar and Wind Development in Rural Areas11 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Module 1 Quiz30 minutes
Orientation Quiz30 minutes

3 pluginsTotal 12 minutes

Feeding the World, Climate Change, and Digital Agriculture (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink)4 minutes
Illinois Extension: Regenerative Agriculture: A Family Tradition (Illinois Extension)3 minutes
U. of I. Energy Farm & Bioenergy crops (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink)5 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to describe the impact of consumer behavior on agricultural practices and food policy, examine the economic implications of traceability and the farmer's share of the food dollar, and identify global issues related to consumer preferences and food labeling.

What's included

8 videos7 readings1 assignment

8 videosTotal 35 minutes

Module 2 Introduction3 minutes
Traceability 7 minutes
Farmer's Share of the Food Dollar: Costs vs. Returns to the Producer3 minutes
Consumer Behavior Over Time6 minutes
Food Policy, Desired Attributes, and Labeling6 minutes
Consumer Preferences and Identity Labeling4 minutes
Consumer Behaviors: Global Issues, Politics, and Food Labeling5 minutes
Module 2 Summary2 minutes

7 readingsTotal 16 minutes

Food Traceability: One Ingredient in a Safe and Efficient Food Supply2 minutes
U.S. Consumers Increased Spending on Food Away From Home in 2023, Driving Overall Food Spending Growth2 minutes
Calorie Labels at Restaurants: Half of Adults Notice, but Some More Than Others2 minutes
US Farm Policy: USDA Certified Organic Production3 minutes
Consumers’ Interpretation of Food Labels with Production Claims Can Influence Purchases2 minutes
2018 Farm Bill Primer: Support for Local Food Systems3 minutes
Prevalence of the “Natural” Label Varies by Food Category2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to describe the technological advancements in agriculture and their rate of adoption, explain the history, use, and application of crop genetics and gene editing, describe the evolution of pesticides and fertilizers and examine opportunities and challenges associated with these inputs, and examine the roles of information technology and artificial intelligence in agriculture and food production systems.

What's included

16 videos4 readings1 assignment2 plugins

16 videosTotal 70 minutes

Module 3 Introduction3 minutes
Technological Advancements in Agriculture & Rate of Adoption5 minutes
Technological Advancements in Agriculture: Mechanization 4 minutes
Genetically Modified (or Engineered) Seeds (GMOs)5 minutes
CRISPR Gene Editing Technology5 minutes
History of Chemical & Fertilizer Use and the Green Revolution7 minutes
Organic & Synthetic Fertilizers: Costs and Rate of Adoption3 minutes
Biologicals: Opportunities and Challenges4 minutes
Precision Agriculture6 minutes
Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence3 minutes
Costs and Benefits5 minutes
History of Data Management and Rate of Adoption6 minutes
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)4 minutes
Data-Driven Decisions in Agriculture Production6 minutes
Integration of Technology: Challenges and Opportunities4 minutes
Module 3 Summary2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 23 minutes

Biotechnology1 minute
Fertilizers & Pesticides2 minutes
Precision Agriculture in the Digital Era: Recent Adoption on U.S. Farms10 minutes
Agricultural Resources and Environmental Indicators, 201910 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz30 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 10 minutes

Green Revolution, World Hunger and Population, Photosynthesis Efficiency (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink)4 minutes
Crop Genetics, Gene Editing, GMOs, & CRISPR Genetic Engineering (PBS Newshour Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink)6 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to explain the historical development and structure of the U.S. Farm Bill, describe the programs and policies included in the U.S. Farm Bill, and examine ways the U.S. Farm Bill impacts food production, agriculture, and consumers. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!

What's included

9 videos9 readings2 assignments

9 videosTotal 44 minutes

Module 4 Introduction2 minutes
History of the U.S. Farm Bill7 minutes
Farm Programs in the U.S. Farm Bill (Commodities, Crop Insurance, and Conservation)8 minutes
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)5 minutes
Biofuels and Energy3 minutes
Trade Policy7 minutes
Ad Hoc Assistance Programs7 minutes
Module 4 Summary2 minutes
Course Summary2 minutes

9 readingsTotal 46 minutes

What is the Farm Bill?2 minutes
Farm Bill Primer: Conservation Title2 minutes
2018 Farm Bill Primer: Specialty Crops and Organic Agriculture2 minutes
Farm Bill Primer: SNAP and Nutrition Title Programs 2 minutes
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): An Overview 6 minutes
Farm Bill Primer: Farm Safety Net Programs2 minutes
Congratulations! 10 minutes
Stack your Coursera coursework toward a Graduate Certificate10 minutes
Get Your Course Certificate10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Module 4 Quiz30 minutes
Final Assessment | Quiz90 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(7 ratings)

Ailie Elmore

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

6 Courses11,737 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Reviewed on Jan 15, 2026

very relevant especially on current threats in the US Agriculture

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2025

I enjoyed learning about food, soil and environment and this will help me a lot in regenerative and sustainable farming! Thank you Professors!

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2026

Excellent introduction to issues on the agriculture sector.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes! Although completion of the Coursera course alone is not credit-bearing, it is a required component of a graduate-level Canvas course that can be "stacked" toward advanced credentials such as an academic (transcriptable) graduate certificate or a degree. If you decide to pursue further education, the credits you earn from this course can be applied toward a formal academic program, provided that you meet all the requirements of admission to the certificate or degree.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.