The 1976 Rural New York Conference focused on unresolved social problems in rural America, with particular attention to needs of rural women in New York. Growing out of a course on rural poverty and social change at Syracuse University, the conference was initiated and planned primarily by students. Proceedings include "Commentaries" by: (1) the director of the New York State Migrant Center on migrants and education, transportation needs, education, day care, and human services; (2) a rural planner on local planning, rural human resources, and consumer cooperatives; (3) a public administration graduate student on human services planning; and (4) a social work graduate student on illiteracy. A "Discussants" section touches on topics such as migrant education, Indian education, rural schools, family planning, health services, sex education, social isolation, transportation, and parent education. There are summaries of workshops on: migrants and farm workers; youth, family planning, and health services; education and illiteracy; and minorities and housing. A "Conclusions" section offers specific issues pertinent to state and federal policy formation under headings of revitalization of rural areas, health care, transportation, housing, human services, research, and rural humanism. The publication also includes a list of resource persons for the conference. (RS)