This report is the first in a series of reports from the Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative Agriculture on Green Support Programs. Green Support Programs, under which farm income support would be provided in return for farmers' provision of environmental protection, reflect a relatively new concept in agricultural policy. This first report provides an overview of the concept, delineates the various critical decisions that must be made in designing a Green Support Program, and explores the implications of and tradeoffs involved in making those decisions. By clearly defining the broad opportunities and limitations of Green Support Programs, it aims to inform the evolving debate about the concept and provide general guidance to those involved in designing, promoting, or evaluating programs that fall in this class .