This history of the Agriculture Development Council (ADC) consists of eight chapters and four appendices. Chapter 1 traces the early years of the ADC, from its inception in 1953 to 1957, the year of the retirement of the council's first director, J. Lossing Buck. The chapter covers the role of John D. Rockefeller, III, the incorporation of the Council on Economic and Cultural Affairs (which later became the ADC), early activities and programs, sources of financial support, and early policies. Chapter 2 describes the organization during the years 1957-1973, while Arthur T. Mosher was executive director, including the use of associates in the field, the council's training materials project, publications activities, guiding principles during the Mosher years, and projects conducted in particular Asian countries during that period. Chapter 8 describes the fellowship program under which 588 men and women from 17 countries studied for advanced degrees with the council's support from 1953 to 1985. Chapter 4 describes the Regional Research and Training program, which was begun in 1970 in 18 countries and which involved individual research grants, inservice training, seminars and workshops, professional exchanges, and publications. Chapter 5 covers research networks among U.S. universities funded through the ADC. Chapter 6 describes the years between 1974 and 1977, when the council was headed by Vernon W. Ruttan. Chapter 7 discusses the organization's activities between Ruttan's departure and Theodore M. Smith's assumption of leadership in 1979. Chapter 8 describes the Smith years, 1979-1985. The document contains 51 references. Lists of trustees, staff, and fellows, a comprehensive ADC publications list, and a statement of the organization's income by year are appended. (CML)