Agricultural Policy in the United States

Agricultural Policy in the United States: Evolution and Economics traces U.S. agricultural policy from its colonial roots to the present, using economic concepts to analyze and interpret political and economic consequences. It also examines the processes by which agricultural policies are developed, and the government structure which supports the implementation of legislation passed by Congress. The book includes arguments for and against common tools of U.S. agricultural policy, without influencing the reader in a particular direction. Each chapter contains questions and exercises to support students’ learning, and technical economic material is contained in optional appendices. This second edition examines the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and sets the scene for future policy developments. Additionally, it looks at trade wars and the impact of Black Swan events like the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural resilience.

James L. Novak, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, Auburn Alabama USA.

Larry D. Sanders, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma USA.

Amy D. Hagerman, Assistant Professor and Agricultural and Food Policy Specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma USA.