The University of Reading is offering free online course on Future of Farming: Exploring Climate Smart Agriculture. 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.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to investigate the interactions between climate change and agriculture, including basic facts about the effects of climate change and the most important greenhouse gases. The course will start on August 28, 2017.
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( votes)Course At Glance
Length: 3 weeks
Effort: 3 hours/week
Subject: Future of Farming
Institution: University of Reading and Future learn
Languages: English
Price: Free
Certificate Available: Yes
Session: Course starts on August 28, 2017
Providers’ Details
The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise. The University aims to deliver a world-class experience to all of its learners. Teaching is research-led, so learners can benefit from the expertise and hands-on knowledge of teaching staff.
About This Course
Global warming is a reality so it’s vital our societies and industries respond to the changing climate. Can farming meet this challenge?
Explore the principles and practical applications of Climate Smart Agriculture: mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, adaption to climate change and stable or increased food production in the context of European dairy farming and wine production. How does farming impact on global warming and greenhouse gases? What are the barriers to adopting CSA and how can these be addressed?
Why Take This Course?
This is a free online course. This MOOC will be offered with Video Transcripts in English. Applicants can get a verified certificate.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to…
- Investigate the interactions between climate change and agriculture, including basic facts about the effects of climate change and the most important greenhouse gases.
- Describe the principles of climate smart agriculture, in particular the three pillars of mitigation, adaptation and productivity.
- Explore the basics of milk and wine production, possible future problems in these sectors and how they can be subject to adaptation and mitigation.
- Discuss the complexity of food production systems, why it can be difficult to implement climate smart agriculture and other forms of sustainable farming, and how the effects can be measured.
- Reflect on how consumer behaviour, policies and regulations, and financial aspects influence the adoption of climate smart and other sustainable practices.
Requirements
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.
Instructors
Marie Dittmann
She is an animal scientist, currently working as a Research Fellow at the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading.
Martin Lukac
She is an academic interested in effects of climate change on agriculture and forestry. I specialise in studying ecosystem productivity, carbon cycling and the link between diversity and stability.
How To Join This Course
- Go to the course website link
- Sign Up At FutureLearn
- Select a course and Join
- Once a course has started, applicant will be able to access the course material
- After the start date, students will be able to access the course by following the Go To Course link on My Courses page.
- Applicants can buy, to show that they have completed a FutureLearn course.
- On some FutureLearn courses, learners will be able to pay to take an exam to qualify for a Statement of Attainment. (These are university-branded, printed certificates that provide proof of learning on the course topic(s)).