ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses some of the constraints and opportunities for rural sociological research, particularly within the land grant system where most of this research is conducted. The Farm Bureau was formally separated from the Cooperative Extension Service by congressional action, but its development marked the beginning of institutionalized support for certain kinds of agricultural research. American rural sociology emerged as part of the agricultural sciences, particularly at the land grant universities. Agricultural scientists who entered rural sociology soon abandoned their interests in the natural sciences; those who remained in the natural sciences had little interest in rural sociology. Rural sociologists often lack defenders and advocates for their particular research. Rural sociologists are limited to Rural Sociology, and tangentially to two or three other professional journals, when seeking to publish research results. Policy decisions are always of concern to special interests.
