Supply Chain of Agriculture

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Supply Chain of Agriculture

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

Instructors: Paul B. Stoddard

7,171 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

47 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

47 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

What you'll learn

Discuss the uses of agricultural land and describe the farm production cycles.
Explain the supply chain of agriculture from input supply to final consumer.
Examine the roles of consumer demand, economics, and technology on agriculture and the food supply chains.

Skills you'll gain

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Assessments

6 assignments¹

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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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There are 4 modules in this course

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.

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.

What's included

14 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

14 videosTotal 44 minutes

Course Overview4 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Gary D. Schnitkey2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Paul Stoddard2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Ailie Elmore2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Joana Colussi3 minutes
Introduction to Supply & Use of Agricultural Products1 minute
Panel Discussion: Trends and Production of Grains & Oil Seeds4 minutes
Fruits and Vegetables3 minutes
Pasture Land4 minutes
Panel Discussion: Pasture Land7 minutes
Agricultural Land Use Around the World3 minutes
What is Livestock Production?3 minutes
Panel Discussion: Livestock5 minutes
Module 1 Key Takeaways1 minute

5 readingsTotal 145 minutes

Syllabus10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Learning Pathways10 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
USDA: Major Uses of Land in the United States45 minutes
World Agriculture Towards 2030/2050 70 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Module 1 Quiz30 minutes
Orientation Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

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

What's included

9 videos3 readings1 assignment

9 videosTotal 36 minutes

Introduction1 minute
What is an Agricultural Commodity?4 minutes
Corn & Soybeans3 minutes
Wheat, Rice, & Other Starches3 minutes
Fruit and Vegetable Production3 minutes
Panel Discussion: Trends in the Consumption and Production of Commodities9 minutes
Farm Production Cycle in South America4 minutes
Panel Discussion: Agricultural Supply Chain (Commodities)7 minutes
Module 2 Key Takeaways2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 57 minutes

USDA Agri-Food Supply Chain Assessment: Program and Policy Options for Strengthening Resilience35 minutes
Optional: The Economics and Organization of Brazilian Agriculture: Recent Evolution and Productivity Gains2 minutes
Interdependence of China, United States, and Brazil in Soybean Trade20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

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.

What's included

9 videos4 readings1 assignment

9 videosTotal 34 minutes

Introduction2 minutes
The Green Revolution4 minutes
Precision Agriculture & Digital Agriculture3 minutes
Panel Discussion: Labor vs. Machinery6 minutes
Technological Change in Machinery5 minutes
Grain Logistics in Brazil4 minutes
U.S. Agricultural Sector Size & Capital Structure 6 minutes
Cochrane's Treadmill Theory3 minutes
Module 3 Key Takeaways1 minute

4 readingsTotal 33 minutes

Investments in Brazilian Grain Transportation Shrink U.S. Logistical Advantage8 minutes
Optional: The Innovation Revolution in Agriculture: A roadmap to value creation2 minutes
Historical Corn Grain Yields in the U.S.15 minutes
Crop Production in Brazil Outpaces Storage Capacity8 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz30 minutes

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!

What's included

11 videos4 readings2 assignments

11 videosTotal 47 minutes

Module 4 Introduction1 minute
Panel Discussion: Consolidation in the Industry16 minutes
Soil Productivity4 minutes
Panel Discussion | Land Productivity4 minutes
Food Insecurity Issues3 minutes
Environmental Concerns in Agriculture3 minutes
Environmental Concerns from the Perspective of the Consumer4 minutes
Animal Agriculture & Environmental Concerns3 minutes
Module 4 Key Takeaways 1 minute
Course Wrap-up5 minutes
Global Agriculture and Supply Chains | Graduate Certificate Course3 minutes

4 readingsTotal 42 minutes

"Three Decades of Consolidation in U.S. Agriculture "12 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

(19 ratings)

Paul B. Stoddard

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

4 Courses10,846 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Reviewed on Apr 5, 2024

Very live and attractive presentation of all the modules. I'm very happy and want to say be blessed to all involved.

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2025

very good course to understanding the supply chain of agriculture

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2026

gives a comprehensive overview to agriculture especially in the US Ag-industry.

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