Texts of 12 research papers are presented in this proceedings of a 1985 conference specifically focusing on the interdependence of agriculture and rural communities. Titles of Session I papers providing information on the current situation and trends in agriculture and rural communities are "An Overview of the Nonmetro Economy and the Role of Agriculture in Nonmetro Development,""Agriculture and the Community: The Sociological Perspective," and "Rural Economies and Farming: A Synergistic Link." Session II papers addressing the impact of agricultural development on rural areas include "Natural Resource Linkages to Agricultural and Rural Development,""Part-time and Limited Resource Farms and Economic and Social Growth in Rural Areas," and "Impact of Agricultural Development on Socioeconomic Change in Rural Areas." Session III papers considering impacts of community development on agriculture are "Infrastructure and Agriculture: Interdependencies with a Focus on Local Roads in the North Central States,""Social and Institutional Infrastructure: The Relationship to Agricultural Development," and "Relationships of Nonfarm Employment to Agricultural Development." Session IV papers presenting implications and policy recommendations for rural areas include "Community Capacity Building to Take Advantage of Opportunities for Agricultural and Rural Development" and "New Policies to Take Advantage of Opportunities for Agricultural and Rural Development." The proceedings include comments on each session and comments by administrators. (NEC)