The Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) provides a forum for participants to articulate strategies to improve the quality of life for rural people. The PAWC is designed to provide a forum for people involved with university programs to exchange ideas and information; encourage development of action-oriented activities directed at enhancing efficiency in agriculture; and provide an operational linkage with the land-grant system, government agencies, and the private sector. The conference theme, "role of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), land-grant universities, and other agencies in assisting rural America," was discussed from three perspectives (research, education, and technology transfer); in addition, examples were presented showing how the three entities are combined to assist rural America. The proceedings includes papers on the roles of technology transfer, economic development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, extension/technology transfer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Emergency Land Fund in assisting rural America. Following the papers, critiques made during the general conference sessions and workshops are presented, and feedback from participants is provided on assisting rural America. Finally, examples are given of how the land-grant system combines instruction, research, and technology transfer to assist rural Americans. (JN)