ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the farm policymaking process and politics. Farm policy is designed, enacted, and carried out in a political environment. The political arena is a place where conflicting viewpoints come together to be heard and to do battle. There are a number of important political arenas for agricultural policy-the US Congress, the US Department of Agriculture, state legislatures, state agencies, and county governments. The general farm organizations and the more specific commodity groups are still important political forces. Groups representing consumers, environmentalists, farm input suppliers, and food marketers are among the contenders for access and influence. Secretary Block has stated that he believes farm policy is at a crossroads and that the direction taken in 1985 will determine agricultural policy for years to come. The Secretary has convened a summit conference of agricultural leaders to obtain their views. In the case of agricultural legislation, the committee of referral will usually be the agriculture committee.
