​The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the breadth of policies and legal authorities included in the Farm Bill that Congress re-evaluates every 5 years. While a good deal of time will be spent on farm safety nets, conservation, and nutrition policies, this course will demonstrate the depth that a modern farm bill reaches with impacts on private working lands and consumers. International trade, clean energy, forestry, rural development, and overall food policies will be reviewed. One goal will be to leave students with the insight that a farm bill is much more than just farm subsidies and low-income nutrition support. The political forces that come together will be evident throughout these discussions.​