SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS JULY, 1979 ANALYSIS OF USDA FUNDED RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SOUTHERN REGION

The improvement of economic and social coordination and allocation of limited research conditions in rural areas has long been a funds. The Southern Rural Development special goal in our nation's history. Rural de- Center (SRDC) maintains a classification of velopment is a broad-scale effort CRIS projects, but only for the Southern encompassing the many dimensions or condi- states [3]. ' A recent evaluation of rural de-tions which determine the quality of life, such velopment projects in Title V was national in as access to public services and facilities, scope, but did not include research outside economic development, and the protection or Title V [2]. enhancement of natural and environmental The purpose of this article is to provide a resources. As suggested by this diversity of national overview of rural developmentprograms, numerous government agencies and research and to identify the current level of re-academic disciplines are involved in the source use and academic approaches beingprocess of rural development, applied in the process. A special emphasis isThough much of rural development's total given to research patterns in the Southernbudget is allocated to implementation or region. This information makes possible a action-oriented programs, research remains a discussion of the appropriateness of the alloca-necessary element and involves a sizeable tion in terms of the apparent development amount of manpower and money. In this needs of each state and the policy implications context, research includes the development of of continuing the present research pattern. scientific and technical knowledge, new technology, and facts useful to private and public decision makers who plan and carry out PROCEDURE rural development action programs. Though not a complete listing of all rural development The rural development research abstract