In most countries, agricultural research (AR), institutions of higher education in agriculture (HEA), and agricultural advisory services (AAS) function as separate agencies. So far, in most countries, AR, HEA, and AAS have not had a common vision for rural development. In Finland, domination of agricultural production in Finland has led to a lack of effort to develop other economically viable enterprises for rural areas. The Regional Development Act 1993 is characterized by a shift from a project approach to a program-based, integrated territorial policy. The goal of the rural policy is to revitalize the countryside. An efficient higher education program is needed to produce qualified researchers to tackle rural problems; a well-functioning rural advisory system is needed to transfer the results for the benefit of rural areas. Universities can provide a multidisciplinary approach to combine conflicting values into a framework in action. The final products of rural development activities must be economically competitive enterprises, clean rivers and ground water, high quality food products, diversified livelihood structure, and the well-being of rural people. The main challenge is to transform, through education and training, agricultural producers into rural entrepreneurs. Close cooperation is needed among AAS, AR, and HEA to develop and implement a joint planning process for applied research and extension programs. (YLB)