Problems in the Appalachian region are described in this report. The realities of deprivation are documented through low income, high unemployment, lack of urbanization, deficits in education, deficits in living standards, and a changing citizenry. It is noted that the program recommendations must be regarded as a total effort. The Commission…

In recent years, service programs targeted for Georgia's rural communities have decreased proportionately in relation to those intended for the state's rapidly expanding population centers. At the same time, erosion of traditional manufacturing industries and an adverse agricultural economy have decreased the ability of rural communities to…

This volume contains summaries of presentations and excerpts from workshops at a conference organized by the Cooperative Extension Services of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. The conference brought together community officials and leaders from the four-state area to share experiences and gain new ideas about community development. Topics…

Economic development efforts in small towns should focus on the birth, expansion, and retention of small enterprises. A consistent and rational policy towards new growth and an enthusiastic development team composed of individuals with knowledge of or access to others with knowledge of industrial sites, financing, utilities, labor, transportation,…

This book outlines the competitive challenge facing rural America and discusses signs of hope for the rural economy. It reports some "secrets of success" in 16 rural farm belt counties that have gained employment while most rural areas are losing jobs. It also describes new state initiatives to help rural communities and lists operating…

Nineteen Wisconsin counties were the site of the four-year Rural Development Demonstration Project, one of five such projects in the nation. Among the project's objectives were to accelerate sound economic, social, cultural and environmental development and to provide alternatives for living in non-metropolitan areas while providing greater…

Few national level programs in the United States directly support both local development and education/training. Although both are needed to accomplish the desired goals of economic stability and low unemployment, distinctly different sets of policies exist for each, and because of limited federal resources, each program is in competition with the…

This sourcebook offers training and technical assistance materials for use in planning rural economic development strategies. It is intended that this book be used by public officials, community leaders, and rural development practitioners who are concerned with strengthening the economics of small towns and rural areas throughout the United…

A study was conducted to identify some generally accepted principles and procedures found to be effective and useful in county and area resource development planning. Review of available published and unpublished literature and involvement of a six-member panel of judges permitted identification of nine principles concerning resource development…

In 1965 Concerted Services in Training and Education (CSTE) began operation in three selected rural counties of New Mexico, Arkansas, and Minnesota with objectives of: (1) developing general operational patterns for alleviation and solution of occupational education problems, (2) identifying employment opportunities and occupational education…

It is estimated that there are over 10,000 non-governmental groups and initiatives in West Germany devoted to improving the quality of life of people in the developing countries. Many of these projects consist of churches helping churches, such as Misereor, the charity organization of German Catholics, or Brot fur die Welt (Bread for the World),…

Development programs have usually been organized for a one-way flow of information, from the experts to the users. This is especially true of American programs in "less developed" countries. A better arrangement would allow at least a two-way flow of information, so that, for example, clients could tell experts what problems need to be solved.…

The effects of land reform programs on community development and the overall socioeconomic development in the three Near Eastern countries of Jordan, Iraq, and Syria were assessed. Land reform was defined as the: redistribution of rights in land ownership and management; reform in the land tenancy patterns; and land settlements, including the…

Education has long been a development priority in Africa. The failure and limitations of formal education have led to the emergence of nonformal alternatives of various types. They include extension education, training programs, multipurpose educational programs (for middle-level professionals), cooperative self-help programs (community…