Between 1965 and 1976 more than 700 rural leaders participated in one of four statewide public affairs leadership development programs conducted by educational institutions in Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, and Montana. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provided over $4 million in financial assistance. The programs were designed to: increase participation in public affairs by men and women from rural areas; improve problem-solving and leadership skills of participants; and encourage sponsoring educational institutions to expand extension programs in public affairs education and rural leadership development. Four case studies show how these programs affected participants and the involved institutions. Four major findings are reflected: (1) statewide public affairs leadership development programs that were at least two years in length increased involvement of many program graduates in related public affairs activities; (2) statewide public affairs leadership development programs which focused on analysis of national and international public issues increased involvement of many program graduates in public affairs activities that were at least regional in scope; (3) statewide public affairs leadership development programs increased leadership and problem-solving skills of program graduates; and (4) educational institutions involved in conducting statewide public affairs leadership programs expanded their extension programming in public affairs education and leadership development. An executive summary concludes the document. (BRR)