This review prepared for 1985 farm legislation provides an historical overview of U. S. farm policies, an evaluation of the performance of current commodity programs, a description of the general economic setting in which the legislation will operate, and a discussion of possible alternative policy tools and concepts. Particular focus is given to the purpose of commodity programs and an economic assessment of their performance. | Agricultural-food Policy Review by Departm Economic Research Service (ers), Paperback | Indigo Chapters