Designed to serve as a framework in which high school debate students, coaches, and judges can evaluate the issues, arguments, and evidence concerning which agricultural policies best serve the United States, this booklet provides guidelines for research on the 1986-87 debate resolutions selected by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Following the presentation of the problem area and the three debate resolutions, the booklet's four chapters discuss (1) getting started, a review of useful information on researching the topic of agricultural policy; (2) an overview of the general problems of agriculture; (3) farmers' income and food exports and (4) issues of a comprehensive federal policy. Graphs and tables accompany the text. (HTH)