Build your knowledge of the processes used by farmers and food producers

Have you ever wondered what makes food sustainable?

On this course, you’ll gain a better understanding of where our food comes from, how it’s produced, and the associated environmental, social and sustainability challenges for EU farmers.

As well as horticulture and arable farming, you’ll explore meat, dairy, and egg production, as you examine different farming systems. You’ll also learn about the innovative technologies available to farmers to boost sustainability so that you can better understand farming challenges, and how farming relates to your food purchases.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 2 seconds [INTRODUCTION MUSIC FADING IN] Sustainability isn’t an end state, we’re constantly changing and evolving. It’s a hugely exciting time. With things like, robotic milking– it’s been around for a while, but it’s only now it’s starting to become a little bit more affordable.

Skip to 0 minutes and 24 seconds There are a lot of initiative to prevent food loss at all stages of the food supply chain. For example, a better communication between producers and markets about actually how much is needed.

Skip to 0 minutes and 40 seconds Let’s think about, well, we’ve got to make farming financially sustainable, but we’ve got to do that in the context of maintaining and improving the landscape and the environment in which farming takes place.

What topics will you cover?

What ‘sustainability’ means and how it applies to farming.
How crops are grown in the EU - both arable and horticultural.
How livestock is farmed in the EU to produce meat, dairy products and eggs.
The challenges of feeding a rapidly expanding global population.
The trade-offs involved in financially viable organic, environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable production methods.
Which technologies are providing the most sustainable solutions.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Develop an informed and balanced understanding of the complexities of sustainable food production in the EU within the context of the global food supply chain.
Investigate how food is produced by EU farmers and explore the trade offs required when considering organic, environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable production methods.
Reflect on the challenges faced by farmers and how innovative technologies help them to provide a secure and sustainable food supply for a growing population.
Evaluate the benefits of different farming methods and apply what you’ve learned to your food-buying choices and working priorities.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in gaining an understanding of EU farming.

It will be particularly useful for professionals working in the food industry who have no background in agriculture.

Who will you learn with?

Simona Grasso

I am a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development at the University of Reading. I am a food scientist interested in developing new healthy and sustainable foods.

Dimitrios Paraforos

I am an Associate Professor in the Institute of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Hohenheim. My research focuses on Precision Farming and Automation in Agriculture.

Thomas Engel

I am Manager Technology Innovation Strategy at the John Deere European Technology Innovation Center in Germany. My research focus is on precision agriculture and sustainable food production

Dimitrios Argyropoulos

I am an Assistant Professor in Biosystems Engineering.

Markus Knapp

I am Knowledge Manager at the R&D Entomology Department of Koppert Biological Systems. Our research focus is on the development of new natural solutions for the control of crop pests.

Who developed the course?

EIT Food

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.

University of Reading

The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.

European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial skills in Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem.

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