This description of the U.S. rural policy formulation process summarizes the policy context by reviewing rural conditions, governmental programs, and assessments of those programs. Institutional arenas of policymaking at every level of government are discussed. Recent economic trends and political . developments which shape policy are reviewed, and the formal policies and strategies which have been adopted at various times by the Federal Government are described. The information needed for policymaking and how it is used and mechanisms by which policymaking and rural program administration are coordinated are also explored.