THE RISE OF THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM IN THE SOUTH, REAPPORTIONMENT, AND POPULATION SHIFTS HAVE REMOVED THE SOUTH'S DOMINANCE IN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS AND INCREASED THE POWER OF THE LARGER COMMERCIALIZED FARMS OF THE WEST. EXTENSION PROGRAMS FOR THE RURAL POOR, WHO ARE LARGELY IN THE SOUTH, WILL FIND LITTLE SUPPORT FROM THE TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL POWER STRUCTURE EITHER IN CONGRESS OR AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS. SUPPORT MUST BE SOUGHT FROM POLITICAL POWER EMERGING IN MIDDLE CLASS SUBURBAN AREAS, AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS, UNIVERSITIES, AND THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY. HOWEVER, THE OLD AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTIONS SEEKING SUPPORT ARE LOSING CONTACT WITH THE UNIVERSITIES BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE AGRICULTURAL PART OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONALS AND A LACK OF EXPLANATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF APPLIED KNOWLEDGE ON THE ONE PART AND OF THE NATURE AND PURPOSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION ON THE OTHER. RESEARCHERS AND EDUCATORS WORKING ON AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS WOULD DO WELL TO LOOK FOR POLITICAL SUPPORT FROM THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE PROFESSIONALS EVEN IF IT MEANS LESSER TIES WITH THE TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL POLITICAL FORCES. (PT)