Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050

University of Western Australia

About this Course

39,622 recent views

The Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 Course is based on a clear vision: imagine best practice farming for 2050, start to implement these strategies now, all the while making sure it will still be profitable. At UWA we're doing just that with the Future Farm 2050 Project, set on a mixed-enterprise farm in Western Australia and we want you to learn how it can be done in your part of the world.
Although this course is based on agriculture, it's not only about farming.  It is a multi-disciplinary course that addresses a wide range of issues confronting the industry, including rural communities, rural infrastructure and conservation of biodiversity in agriculture.
By completing this course you will understand that feeding and clothing the planet requires a multi-disciplinary approach
and upon completion you will be able to explain best practices of sustainable farming and apply them in new contexts.

Learner Career Outcomes

29%

started a new career after completing these courses

31%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.76/5 (104 Ratings)

Graeme Martin

Professor

School of Agriculture and Environment

21,079 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

29%

started a new career after completing these courses

31%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 9 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Offered by

University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) was established in 1911 and continues to set the standard for other West Australian universities. Staff, students and graduates from the University have been recognised at state, national and international levels, and UWA continues to confirm its standing as one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities. UWA's leaders and researchers work in partnership with three domestic and international networks, the Group of Eight, Matariki and the Worldwide Universities Network.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating95%(1,543 ratings)

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Introduction to the Course

Welcome to "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". In this first week you'll be introduced to the UWA Future Farm 2050 Project, an initiative by UWA in agricultural R&D and regional engagement. The project is centred on agriculture but you'll discover that feeding the world needs a mutli-disciplinary approach, and there are a wide range of issues confronting the agricultural industry which must be addressed if we are to cope with population projections for 2050.

1 hour to complete

3 videos (Total 33 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

3 videos

Professor Graeme Martin - Welcome to the Course and Introduction to Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 205020m

360 Farm Tour8m

Introduction to Ridgefield Farm Manager - Mr Steven Wainewright4m

1 reading

The 'UWA Future Farm 2050' Project - testing multidisciplinary options for future food production systems10m

1 practice exercise

Introduction to Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 205030m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Water and Soils

Welcome to the second week of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you will gain an understanding into the importance of soil and water and its careful management.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 30 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Professor Graeme Martin - Introduction to Water and Soils1m

Asst/Professor Matthias Leopold: Soils8m

Interview with Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott6m

Dr Matt Hipsey: Water14m

2 readings

Optional Readings: Soil10m

Optional Readings: Water10m

2 practice exercises

Week 2: Soils30m

Week 2: Water30m

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Ecological Cropping

Welcome to Week 3 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Ecological Cropping, and more specifically weed management and plant breeding. Effective weed management strategies, in a changing environment with increasing resistance to herbicides, has become increasingly important for crop management. In addition to these management strategies, successful cropping also depends on high yielding varieties, tolerant to a changing environment.

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 58 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

6 videos

Professor Graeme Martin - Introduction to Ecological Cropping1m

Professor Stephen Powles: Cropping and Weed Management20m

Interview with Dr Ken Flower11m

Interview with Wheatbelt Farmer Shauna Stone8m

Professor Wallace Cowling: Plant Breeding14m

360 Wheat Crop Harvest1m

1 reading

Optional Readings: Ecological Cropping10m

1 practice exercise

Week 2: Ecological Cropping30m

Week

Week 4

1 hour to complete

Versatile Livestock Systems

Welcome to Week 4 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Versatile Livestock Systems. You'll learn about the about the principles of "Clean, Green and Ethical" livestock management. This is the driving livestock management principle of the Future Farm 2050 Project. You'll also understand the risks associated with livestock production in drylands, working towards versatile systems and managing the relationship between animals and the environment.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 22 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

2 videos

Professor Graeme Martin - Introduction to Versatile Livestock Systems1m

Professor Philip Vercoe: Versatile Livestock Systems20m

1 reading

Optional Readings: Versatile Livestock Systems10m

1 practice exercise

Versatile Livestock Systems30m

Week

Week 5

1 hour to complete

Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture

Welcome to Week 5 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture. You will learn about biodiversity hotpots, the impacts of clearing land for agriculture and our reliance of healthy ecosystems (ecosystems services) for survival. You will also learn about site and re vegetation planning and the integration of biodiversity into farming systems.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 16 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz

2 videos

Professor Graeme Martin: Introduction to Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture1m

Ms Anne Smith: Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture15m

1 reading

Optional Reading: Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture10m

1 practice exercise

Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture30m

Week

Week 6

2 hours to complete

People and Infrastructure

Welcome to Week 6 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to the importance of People and Infrastructure for sustainable agriculture. People in regional areas face many different challenges to those residing in urban areas. The changing environment has further increased these challenges. In addition, infrastructure in regional areas is expensive to build and often not "Fit for Purpose"

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 31 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Professor Graeme Martin: Introduction to People and Infrastructure1m

Welcome to Country with Noongar Elder Gary Bennell1m

Dr Susan Bailey: People15m

Mr Patrick Beale: Rural Infrastructure13m

2 readings

Optional Reading: People10m

Optional Reading: Infrastructure10m

2 practice exercises

6. People30m

6. Infrastructure30m

Week

Week 7

1 hour to complete

CONCLUSION OF COURSE

Congratulations! You've reached the end of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050"

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 2 min)

1 video

Professor Graeme Martin - Conclusion of Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 20502m

1 practice exercise

Final Assessment30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. 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.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050