Once again BPD served as a meeting place for academic rural social workers.  While rural social workers share many of the same concerns as social workers from other areas, there is added importance in rural social work practice on preserving BSW level and generalist practice in order to serve diverse populations in rural America.  The 31^st National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas will occur July 19 – 21, 2006 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  This conference is unique in that it is a partnership between practitioners and educators in rural areas.  The theme this year is Seasons of Rural America:  Practice Implications for Geographically Diverse Populations throughout the Life Span.  This year’s conference is co-sponsored by Western Kentucky University and Murray State University.  Presentation proposals must be postmarked by March 31, 2006 and should be sent to Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke at Murray State University or to rural2006@aol.com.  Proposals from universities that would like to host one of the upcoming rural social work conferences are also being accepted.