THE YOUTH OF RURAL AMERICA ARE NOT AFFORDED EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, EXPERIENCE INADEQUATE MEDICAL SERVICES, AND FAIL IN GENERAL TO REALIZE THE ADVANTAGES OF THEIR CITY COUNTERPARTS. THESE CONDITIONS FACING RURAL YOUTH ARE NOT CONFINED TO ANY SINGLE AREA OF THE COUNTRY, BUT ARE WIDESPREAD ENOUGH THAT THEY CONSTITUTE A NATIONAL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEMS OF POVERTY AND MISERY ARE TRANSPORTED FROM THE ISOLATION OF RURAL AREAS TO THE CONGESTED AREAS OF CITIES THROUGH THE MIGRATION OF THE RURAL POPULACE. THIS MASS MIGRATION FROM RURAL TO URBAN AREAS HAS SERVED AT LEAST AS A PARTIAL STIMULANT IN THE RECENT RIOTS OF OUR LARGE CITIES. BY PROVIDING WAYS AND MEANS FOR THE RURAL PEOPLE TO ENJOY FULL AND ABUNDANT LIVES THE TIDE OF MIGRATION MIGHT BE TURNED, WHICH SHOULD ULTIMATELY BENEFIT BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS. WHILE MASSIVE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, IT IS NOT A TASK TO BE LEFT ENTIRELY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT WILL NECESSITATE THE COOPERATION, PLANNING, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ON RURAL YOUTH, OCTOBER 23-26, 1967, WASHINGTON, D. C., SPONSORED JOINTLY BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, INTERIOR, AND LABOR, OEO, AND THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON YOUTH OPPORTUNITY. (ES)