The agricultural and food policy future now offers more than usual excitement—and also uncertainty. As the calendar turned, it ushered in a year of decision about the future of this nation's public policy concerning its agriculture production, farm family and rural community welfare, consumers' food supply, and agricultural trade. It also signaled the changing of the leading actors who will perform yet unwritten roles in a yet-to-be-titled drama of policy development. All of this will unfold both within an international and national environment of volatile economic forces. It offers all the challenge that a student of policy could expect.