Summarizing an Economic Research Service (ERS) publication, this guide to a balanced rural-urban growth describes the results of a computer based ERS model which examined seven strategies to improve rural economic development. Based on 1960-70 trends, the model is described as asking how much would be required of each of the following strategies to close the rural-urban income gap sooner than the 1960-70 trend indicates: (1) stop out-migration; (2) reduce natural increase of population; (3) expand labor force; (4) create jobs; (5) increase productivity of resources; (6) expand capital stock; (7) expand markets. As reported here, the seven strategies were analyzed via simulation in terms of the target year 1990, and the preferred strategies were then compared with changes in economic activity observed between 1970-73. Results are presented as follows: each strategy has some potential for raising nonmetropolitan income, but in isolation each displays undesirable side effects on migration, dependency, wages, unemployment, or the level of general business activity; a mixed strategy which promotes joining the labor force, creating jobs, and increasing resource productivity can stimulate rural growth with few undesired side effects; strategies which enhance capital accumulation and expand markets have limited benefits; strategies which directly influence migration or natural population increase are not required. (JC)