The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) is one of four regional rural development centers in the nation. SRDC coordinates rural development research and extension education programs cooperatively with the 29 land-grant institutions in 13 Southern states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. This annual report outlines activities undertaken by SRDC from October 1998 through September 1999 in support of five major priorities: (1) strengthen and support the capacity of Southern land-grant institutions and their partners to conduct rural development research and outreach education programming; (2) enhance the economic, environmental, and social well-being of rural people and communities; (3) strengthen the human capital resources of the region's rural communities; (4) improve rural Southerners' access to vital community services; and (5) enhance the capacity of rural people and communities to carry out their expanded responsibilities in the design, management, and financing of government programs. Specific goals and related activities are described for each priority area. Types of activities include information dissemination through publications, a Web site, and news releases; training for community leaders, youth, and professionals; research; conferences; and development of partnerships and information networks. A final section lists conferences, formal staff presentations, publications, SRDC partners, members of the board of directors and the technical advisory committee, and SRDC staff. (SV)