WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University has in place two online agronomy courses: Agronomy Essentials and Nutrient Management. Now, the university has added a third online course, Digital Agriculture.

“We’ve had two agriculture online courses here at Purdue the past 10 years and we’re happy to add a third one,” said Dr. Bruce Erickson, director of the E-Learning Academy at Purdue.

Agronomy Essentials is the university’s flagship course, providing broad-based agronomic knowledge. The course follows the growing season, beginning with a study of soil and land, then proceeding through seed selection, planting, growth, development, nutrients, diagnostics, pest management, harvest and storage. This course does not require any background knowledge of agronomy.

Nutrient Management covers the chemistry and microbiology of soil and plant nutrients. The latter part of the course includes the selection and application of nutrients in the field. This course is best suited for people with an understanding of agronomy and basic chemistry.

Digital Agriculture explores the latest advancements in agricultural technology and data-driven, site-specific farming practices. Through weekly modules, learners examine how digital tools, such as precision equipment, sensors, data analytics and decision-support systems, are transforming modern agriculture.

Each module includes a video scenario that ties the scientific principles to practical applications.

“This course is best suited for learners with a foundational understanding of agronomy who want to stay current with cutting-edge innovation,” Erickson said, adding that the Digital Agriculture course builds on the foundation of precision agriculture.

“Precision agriculture is on the rise and new sensors and analysis tools are a fixture on many modern farms and an integral part of the industry at large,” he said. “Modern agricultural professionals need to master a diverse set of skills to be successful. They have to understand everything from farming’s foundations to how technology is moving the field forward.”

Erickson said the Digital Agriculture course goes beyond traditional concepts. Participants will explore data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence and environmental decision-making, helping them understand how these tools enhance production efficiency and sustainability in real-world systems.

“The business of growing crops has become increasingly complicated in recent years, as agriculture has been challenged with growing demands to increase production while minimizing the environmental impact,” Erickson said. “New technologies and a knowledge-based future will demand a more thorough understanding of the entire crop production system. Purdue’s Agronomy E-Learning Academy prepares agriculture professionals for the work of tomorrow in a flexible and convenient format.”

According to Erickson, Purdue University’s Agronomy E-Learning Academy aims to equip agricultural professionals with the broad base of technical knowledge they need to forge impactful careers in the agricultural industry.

Each course lasts 12 weeks and are led by industry experts. The cost per course is $2,000; courses start each January, June and September. The summer classes will run June 3-Aug. 26, and the fall classes will run Sept. 16-Dec. 9.

“In terms of accessible professional development opportunity, the Agronomy E-Learning Academy offers flexibility to meet anyone’s schedule,” said Sue Bennett, Purdue’s Agronomy E-Learning project manager. “The information in these courses is essential for growers and agricultural professionals.

 “The courses are asynchronous, so they’re all online and you can access them anytime you want. They run 12 weeks but if you want to finish them quicker than that, that’s fine. We have these ‘gates’ that the students need to pass through by certain dates, but they can be completed earlier.”

The academy was designed to reflect the technical demands of the modern agricultural industry and prepare students for knowledge-intensive jobs in the field. By equipping them with both foundational skills and technical expertise, the e-learning courses empower agricultural professionals to work effectively with farmers, make informed decisions, and succeed at adapting to and understanding new technological innovations.

“We foresee only increases in the knowledge and skills that agriculture professionals will need,” Erickson said. “Future development will be exciting, and we here at Purdue want to help everyone be on board and ready.”

Students can take the courses individually according to their career needs or complete all three courses to earn a Crop Professional Certificate. The certificate gives graduates the opportunity to highlight their technical expertise to potential employers and colleagues.

All courses are offered remotely and open to students from anywhere in the world. For more information about the academy, visit agonline@purdue.edu.