The commentary titled, “Convergence of Agriculture and Energy: Implications for Research and Policy” analyzes research and policy issues arising from the utilization of biofuels as a national strategy for energy independence. Focus is on key issues related to corn ethanol production in the United States in the next 5 to 10 years. Among the highlights of the report: (1) the cost of corn and price of boiler fuel are the major factors driving ethanol cost, (2) additional land planted with corn will come from areas from decreased acreage of other crops such as soybean and wheat, (3) grain-to-ethanol conversion efficiencies may be accomplished by improved ethanol plant design, or application of molecular biology techniques to improve corn grain characteristics suitable for ethanol production, (4) protection of soil and environmental quality must be ensured with the need for increased corn production, and (5) revitalization and economic development of rural communities is one beneficial consequence in the construction of ethanol plants..