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Agriculture as an Asset Class

Agriculture as an Asset Class

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.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

9 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Describe the balance sheet and capital structure of agriculture
Analyze the economic drivers impacting the performance of farmland as an institutional investment
Describe the producers and investors of farmland
Explain the financing institutions, risk management strategies, and modern issues associated with agriculture investing

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

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.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

Modern agriculture has evolved into an accessible and lucrative asset class for a wide range of investors. Gain insights into the financial performance of this capital-intensive industry, anchored in valuable real estate assets and agricultural investments. Learners who enroll in this course will examine the scale, structure, and capital frameworks of the agricultural sector, explore the innovative channels emerging for investment, and explore the dynamics of agricultural financing.

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 explore the distinctions and commonalities between balance sheets and income statements, understand the capital structure and density of agricultural production, and compare the viewpoints of producers and investors on farmland investments.

What's included

15 videos5 readings2 assignments

15 videos Total 65 minutes

Course Overview 1 minute
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Bruce Sherrick 1 minute
Meet Your Instructor | Ailie Elmore 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Nicholas D. Paulson 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Paul B. Stoddard 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Gary D. Schnitkey 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Joana Colussi 3 minutes
Module 1 Introduction 1 minute
Balance Sheet 6 minutes
Income Statement 6 minutes
USDA Farm Balance Sheet 14 minutes
Density of Agriculture Production 5 minutes
Perspective of Producer 5 minutes
Q&A: Institutional Investment of US Farmland 12 minutes
Module 1 Key Takeaways 2 minutes

5 readings Total 52 minutes

Syllabus 10 minutes
Learn More About Flexible Pathways 10 minutes
Updating Your Profile 10 minutes
Getting to Know Your Classmates 10 minutes
"U.S. Farm Sector Balance Sheet" 12 minutes

2 assignments Total 60 minutes

Module 1 Quiz 30 minutes
Orientation Quiz 30 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will be able to identify the factors affecting land values and discuss the historical changes of farmland values and returns.

What's included

7 videos1 reading1 assignment

7 videos Total 47 minutes

Module 2 Introduction 2 minutes
Investment Returns on Farmland 3 minutes
Factors Affecting Land Values (Part 1) 16 minutes
Factors Affecting Land Values (Part 2) 6 minutes
Factors Affecting Land Values (Part 3) 10 minutes
Farmland Market Historical Returns 10 minutes
Module 2 Key Takeaways 2 minutes

1 reading Total 20 minutes

"The Evolution of Farmland as an Institutional Asset" 20 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 2 Quiz 30 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will characterize the investors of farmland and describe their motivations to purchase land. Learners will also analyze land transfer options and the tax considerations of land transfer.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 assignment

5 videos Total 28 minutes

Module 3 Introduction 1 minute
Investors of Farmland: Who, Where, and Why 6 minutes
Panel: Tax Considerations on Land Transfer 14 minutes
Opportunity Zone: Investing in Farmland 5 minutes
Module 3 Key Takeaways 1 minute

2 readings Total 16 minutes

"Farmland Ownership and Tenure" 8 minutes
"Tax on Farm Estates and Inherited Gains" 8 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Module 3 Quiz 30 minutes

At the conclusion of this module, you will describe financing institutions associated with farmland investments, discuss risks and risk management strategies for farmland investments, and examine modern issues in agriculture investing. 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

7 videos4 readings2 assignments

7 videos Total 40 minutes

Module 4 Introduction 1 minute
Q&A: Property Level Financing Institutions 8 minutes
Q&A: Risk Management 10 minutes
Panel: Modern Issues in Agricultural Investing 15 minutes
Module 4 Key Takeaways 1 minute
Course Summary 2 minutes
Agriculture as an Asset Class | Graduate Certificate Course 3 minutes

4 readings Total 40 minutes

"Corporate Farming & Land Ownership Laws – An Overview" 10 minutes
Congratulations! 10 minutes
Stack your Coursera coursework toward a Graduate Certificate 10 minutes
Get Your Course Certificate 10 minutes

2 assignments Total 120 minutes

Module 4 Quiz 30 minutes
Final Assessment | Quiz 90 minutes

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Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Ailie Elmore

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

6 Courses 11,003 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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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.