A young women's employment program in Fiji focused on personal development, self-reliance, and small business development. The responsibilities of women's traditional roles and lack of capital and credit were difficulties encountered, but the human development sessions were most valued by the participants. (SK)

Both the rural economy and the disability community in rural areas can benefit from a recognition that they are mutually dependent. With the decline of rural America, the economic base underpinning all aspects of disability support systems is weakening. In addition, rural disability services often are compartmentalized along functional lines with…

Home to 65 million people, rural America is no longer insulated from national and international events. Once dependent entirely upon agriculture and natural resource industries, today rural America relies upon manufacturing and service industries. Jobs and other income opportunities in rural America must respond to global business cycles and…

Intended for rural development practitioners and extension educators, this publication examines trends and issues in the revitalization of rural America. Chapter 1 defines community economic vitality as the capacity to ensure a flow of jobs and income over time; focuses attention on the realities of competition between communities and the…

The Federal Government, through its Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962, has served approximately 80,000 rural youth through its various training programs. The Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) and the "Concerted Services Approach" are 2 programs which have had particular impact on rural areas. The need for these programs is readily…

An Index of Development Potential based primarily on the success communities have had in passing bond issues is suggested in this paper. Ten Texas communities were studied using an index composed of 3 measures: the ratio of bond issue success, total bond expenditure per capita, and labor force potential. A composite score was derived from these…

A project called "radioprimaria" is bringing classes by radio to fourth, fifth, and sixth grades in a rural area of Mexico to make up for the lack of teachers in these grades. Even though the project was largely unsupervised and plagued with disorganization and equipment problems, children taught with radio did as well as children in the…

The Midwest, Plains, and Delta are among the regions hit hardest by the current farm crisis. The vulnerability of an area to the financial crisis in farming depends on the financial conditions of its farmers, its dependence on farming--especially on export-sensitive crops--and the strength of its nonfarm economy. (JHZ)

Concerns the economic crisis which has led to farm foreclosures, closings of rural businesses, and decreased livelihood of some rural communities. Presents an empowerment strategy as a possible approach to rural revitalization. Examines programs that have used an empowerment process and suggests additional efforts based on empowerment principles.…

Illustrating that their roles are as diverse as non-farm women, four short articles give new perspectives on farm women: the numbers and types of farms run by women, an historical review of women on the farm, the non-farm jobs many work at, and the specific farm activities they are responsible for. (NEC)

There is little doubt that having a local college or university in your community is a wonderful local and regional asset. However, the true size and scope of its economic value and impact on the community can vary greatly. Is your community just thankful that as a large employer the college provides a large and stable payroll? Is the college…

Manufacturing employs a declining share of the U.S. labor force but is still the most important sector of Southern rural economies. Manufacturing has played a major role in reducing poverty in the rural South and is particularly important to economies where tourism, recreation, or commuting is not strong. Historically, manufacturers moved to the…

Examines relations between the state and rural systems worldwide. Notes growing international concern for declining environmental quality, implying new imperatives for international cooperation. Relates these trends to state intervention's changing nature and alternative governance systems, political economy theory respecting family farms and…

Outlines four traditional arguments for rural America, and critiques foundations of each argument, emphasizing different elements at risk. Expresses skepticism for synthesis of approaches given framework of original question. Suggests question of preserving rural America might be misplaced concern for rural social scientists. (TES)