AbstractThree types of agricultural, or sustainability, policy are introduced. One deals with the interests of society, another with the agricultural sector, and the third with rural people and places. Each type serves different purposes, interest groups, and issues. Yet, they share some common ground. Because social, agricultural, and rural objectives are interdependent, we need all three policy types if any is to be effective in a highly specialized society. Agricultural policy often substitutes for rural policy, but this is inadequate. Factors shaping the rural policy context include regionality, the large rural population, the rural situation, lack of rural human resource development, technological displacement, and legislation. The environment, economic change, physical infrastructure, social services, jobs, and the role of land grant universities are issues to be considered in rural policy.