Discusses consolidation of Federal rural development programs and the availability and delivery of agricultural credit. Presents testimony and prepared statements from Committee members as well as reps. from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; Farm Credit System; Univ. of Kentucky; Great Atlantic Mortgage Service Corp.; Nat. Family Farm Coalition; North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Service; Indiana Statewide Assoc. of Rural Electric Coops.; Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; Nat. Rural Water Assoc., etc. Includes position statements from the Nat. Alliance for Fair Competition; Nat. Rural Housing Coalition; the Center for Rural Affairs, and others.

The Small Business Admin. (SBA) and the Rural Development offices of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) both work in rural areas to foster economic development by promoting entrepreneurship and community development. This report discusses: (1) the complementary nature of some SBA and Rural Development programs and the extent to which it provides a rationale for the agencies to collaborate; (2) past and current efforts by SBA and Rural Development to work together and with other agencies; and (3) opportunities for the agencies to improve their collaborative efforts. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.