ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book identifies important issues for rural sociological research. Rural America, long accustomed to supplying food and trained workers for urban-based economic growth, is being asked to satisfy even more needs of the larger society. In many ways, rural sociologists have become as diverse as the issues facing rural America. The majority of active rural sociology research programs are located in the north-central and northeastern states. These regions, once the location of the country's most dramatic rural changes, are remote from the areas where some of the greatest rural changes are occurring. Rural sociology can respond to far more problems than was once the case. For rural sociology to make its maximum contribution to solving problems, the temptation to be all things to all people must be resisted.
