The basic objectives of this study are (1) the identification of planning needs, (2) the development of an orderly approach to the processes of planning, and (3) the development of an argument for planning in rural counties of Virginia. The data was obtained through library research, personal interview, and field inspection in rural counties of Virginia. The most significant results are: 1. Current population trends show both compositional and quantitative changes taking place in the rural counties of Virginia. 2. Land use development patterns in Virginia rural counties, under the present conditions, are wasteful and overtax the existing facilities. 3. Land usefulness determinations involving soil composition and physical characteristics are gaining in use in agriculture, engineering, building, and taxation. 4. County government, although organized in its most prevalent form for antiquatedness and obsolescence, is adequate to make gainful use of the processes of planning, including the most up-to-date ideas. 5. Legislation is adequate at the state level to enable the county unit of government to implement by ordinances the policies appropriate to a rural county planning program. 6. Economic conditions in the rural counties are important indices to the soundness of the county's Condition. 7. Implementation of planning programs in the rural counties can be accomplished through action programs involving citizen participation as part of a continuous planning and educational process. / Master of Science