An overview of rural development research in the United States Department of Agriculture's land grant environment focuses on southern 1862 and 1890 institutions. Although important to agricultural experiment stations, rural development research has received limited funding. A heterogeneous research program including human resources development, economic development, community facilities and services, environmental improvement, family and youth, natural resources and recreation, population, and small farms has received less than 5% of available resources. Further, rural development research is characterized by small commitments from relatively few people. Nevertheless, significant achievements have been made in several areas including documentation of rural conditions, rural industrialization and job development, community services and local government finance, rural youth and youth in agriculture, and needs assessments. Rural development research must balance the priorities of both the research community and the public. While little information about public priorities is available, researchers are apparently focusing on five research issues: the impact of growth and development on demand for and cost of services, water resources, health care, the impact of energy shortages and inflation, and the rural labor market. Trends in rural development research include collaboration, evaluation and estimation of program impacts, and implications of "New Federalism." (SB)