This annual report of the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) describes the agency's extension and research activities from October, 1996, to September 30, 1997. SRDC is one of four regional centers coordinating rural development research and extension education programs cooperatively with the land-grant institutions. SRDC cooperates with 29 universities to serve Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Virginia. The first part of the report describes SRDC's funding, sponsors, audiences, staff, board of directors, advisors, and five priority areas. SRDC priorities are: (1) strengthening and supporting the capacity of Southern land-grant institutions and their partners to conduct rural development research and outreach education; (2) enhancing the economic, environmental, and social well-being of rural communities and people; (3) strengthening the human capital resources of the region's rural communities; (4) improving rural Southerners' access to vital community services; and (5) enhancing the capacity of rural people and communities to carry out their expanded responsibilities in the design, management, and financing of government programs. The remainder of the report describes SRDC-sponsored activities for each priority area and miscellaneous activities. Publications are listed within activity descriptions. (SAS)
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