Release No. 0625.96

                                             Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                    Raymond Bridge (202) 720-5447
                                             rbridge@oce.usda.gov

USDA TO HOLD FORUM ON LONG-TERM FARM PROSPECTS

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 1996--Agricultural Outlook Forum 97, the U.S.
Department ofAgriculture's seventy-third annual outlook meeting, will take
place February 24 and 25, 1997, in Washington, D.C., Agriculture Secretary
Dan Glickman announced today.

     "The program will highlight long-term farm prospects in a time of
expanding  markets,"  he said.  "The forum also will address an array of
challenges confronting a more open and competitive farm economy."

      USDA's Chief Economist Keith Collins said that featured topics will
include changing environmental policies, how farmers can manage risk,
concentration in agricultural markets, prospects for genetically modified
crops, world food security, and strategies for boosting exports of
high-valued farm products.

     Glickman will open the forum Monday, February 24, at 1:00 p.m. EST,
with a keynote address.  During the forum, an overview of agricultural
prospects and issues for 1997 and beyond will be provided.  The Department
will also release a new set of agricultural projections reflecting policies
under the 1996 Farm Act.  

     To request program and registration details, call (202) 720-3050, send
e-mail to agforum@oce.usda.gov, or write to Outlook Forum  97, Room 5143
South Building, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250-3800. Complete details are also
available on the World Wide Web at <http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/agforum.htm>.

     The forum will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St.,
N.W., Washington, D.C. Call (202) 234-0700 for room reservations.

     A staffed press room for news media will be available. Call Martha
Evans at (202) 501-6134 for media registration.  Public service
announcements are available on request.
                                
                                #

NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet.
Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov