The executive summary of the first meeting of the National Advisory Council on Rural Development gives highlights of remarks and presentations by 16 speakers and discussions by subgroups on supporting state and local government (management and rural development roles), on new ways for rural development, and on financing rural development. Purposes of the Council are outlined in remarks by Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials. History and current status of the Forest Service and Soil Conservation Service are noted. Rural development leadership and coordination responsibilities of the Secretary of Agriculture, and structures used to carry them out, are summarized. The population turnaround in rural America in the 1970's, objectives underlying rural development legislation and programs (including development of education systems), and persistent national and regional rural problems are outlined in a presentation by Calvin Beale of the USDA Economic Research Service. Highlights of additional remarks cover the "new federalism"; agricultural marketing, exports, and regulations; the President's Cabinet Council system and Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives; R.J. Reynolds Industries' interest in voluntarism and Future Farmers of America; and community development involvement by the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services. (MH)