As part 1 of a four part report to the U.S. Congress pursuant to Title IX, Section 901 of the Agricultural Act of 1970, this fourth annual report is limited to rural development activities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) delivery system (the USDA National Rural Development Committee, State Rural Development Committee, and county committees). Presented via statistical and narrative summaries and exemplary State activities, this report discusses each of the following major program thrusts: housing; organization and leadership development; comprehensive planning; community services and facilities; health and welfare; manpower development; recreation and tourism; business and industrial development; environmental improvement; and rural cooperatives. Also presented are total efforts of the land-grant universities which involve training professional personnel for leadership, conducting research, and extending knowledge beyond the university to the populace. Discussion relative to committee membership, organization, and activity scope is supported by tabular displays relative to 1973 State and substate rural development committee composition, major activity involvement, and man-years of USDA rural development information and technical assistance. Names and addresses of USDA rural development committee chairmen are appended. (JC)