At the White House Consultation with Rural Women held in June 1980, over 250 women from all walks of rural life and from 12 other nations responded to the Carter Administration's rural policy on small farms, health, employment, communications, education, housing, food, agriculture, and land and energy issues and made recommendations for action for inclusion in the national Small Community and Rural Development Policy. The policy recommendations made by the participants included proposed changes in federal rules, regulations, and legislation and emphasized the importance of women's organizations and other community-based groups. The participants recommended greater government sensitivity to rural needs and, in particular, to the needs of rural women. Recommendations primarily advocated various types of financial assistance, tax incentives, technical assistance, and educational opportunities which federal and state governments should make available to rural residents and rural communities. Recommendations also dealt with federal policies, standards, and services applicable to rural communities. The participants stressed that rural people know what their needs are and that government and industry should respect and encourage their ability to solve problems in their own way. (Author/CM)