1. MYTH OR FACT Rural America unlike urban America, is populated with healthy, happy people

2. Why Study Rural Sociology? Contributions to nation’s well-being Contributions to nation’s well-being 1. Food Security 2. Natural Resources 3. Rural Values Most satisfying lifestyle perceived by most people Most satisfying lifestyle perceived by most people As future professionals and voters, we need knowledge of many issues related to rural and urban development As future professionals and voters, we need knowledge of many issues related to rural and urban development

3. Social Sciences = People Sciences Economics – Monetary System Economics – Monetary System Geography – Surroundings Geography – Surroundings History – Past Events History – Past Events Anthropology – Past Cultures Anthropology – Past Cultures Government – Laws and Rules Government – Laws and Rules Psychology - Individuals Psychology - Individuals Sociology - Groups Sociology - Groups

4. Major Urban – Rural Issues Environmental Pollution Environmental Pollution Food Quality Food Quality Land Use Land Use Animal Welfare/Rights Animal Welfare/Rights Hunting Hunting Crime Crime Tobacco Tobacco Education Education Right To Farm Right To Farm Guns Guns

5. Value Conflicts in Rural USA Progress vs. Status quo Progress vs. Status quo Bigger vs. Smaller Bigger vs. Smaller Business vs. Lifestyle Business vs. Lifestyle Venture vs. Refuge Venture vs. Refuge Exploiters vs. Nurturers Exploiters vs. Nurturers Preservationists vs. Change Agents Preservationists vs. Change Agents

6. Factors Affecting Degrees of Rurality Population Density Population Density Educational Level Educational Level Retail Jobs Retail Jobs Professional Services Professional Services Public Services Public Services Family Income Family Income Percentage in Poverty Percentage in Poverty

7. Identifications of Rurality Number of local/area newspapers Number of local/area newspapers Retired couples Retired couples Access to interstate Access to interstate Changing population dynamics Changing population dynamics