This course focuses on the application of successful microfinance principles to rural and agricultural lending. It considers key similarities and differences between micro and rural/agricultural operations, especially concerning seasonality, risk considerations, client monitoring, and loan recovery. It examines practical experiences of designing rural and agricultural credit products, delivering these products, and new approaches such as value chain financing and warehouse receipts programs. Risk management techniques are considered including an introduction to index crop and livestock insurance.  Students from microfinance institutions who are either actually making rural or agricultural loans or planning to do so will find this material of interest as will persons working for donors and support organizations.