Rural sociology in studying and encouraging the development of agriculture and rural areas in Slovenia

The article in the first part describes beginnings and development of rural sociological research and teaching rural sociology at the universities in Slovenia. In the second part, a working model of integrated approach towards rural development is presented, and, on the basis of Slovenian as well as international experiences some suggestions for promoting the development of (Slovenian) agriculture and rural communities are specified. In the conclusion, the need for the interdisciplinary approach, especially greater consideration of social sciences in developmental planning is pointed out