Sustainable Development and Agriculture in the United States -- Introduction -- Background -- Conflicting Characteristics of Sustainability in Agriculture -- Several Snapshots of Commercial Agricultural Production in the United States -- Evolving Federal Agricultural Policy -- Agenda 21's Provisions Regarding Agriculture and Rural Development -- A General Definition of Sustainability for American Agriculture -- A Particular Concern: The Possible Demise of Agriculture's Preferred Access to Resources -- A Particular Concern: Uncertainty -- Specific Recommendations-The Near Term -- Specific Recommendation-The Long Term -- Conclusion: Integrating Polluter-Pays and Precautionary Principles.