AbstractAgricultural science in US public universities faces serious new challenges as a consequence of political and social events both internal and external to the community. Changing state and national demographics, slowing growth of US productivity, major national economic restructuring, a growing federal debt, increasing environmental concerns, major restructuring of the food and fiber system, waning financial support of science for science's sake, and major changes within research universities impact the agricultural sciences. In response, significant programmatic changes, to emphasize food and fiber needs, environmental quality and natural resources, as well as the quality of life for individuals, families and communities have already been made. The current context for agricultural research requires three creative and timely policy activities: strategic planning; budget initiatives; and legislative action. Each must be pursued aggressively, while remaining true to the fundamental purpose of research in public land-grant universities and research institutions: to create new knowledge that addresses societal needs.