GLICKMAN NAMES FIVE MEMBERS TO NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD

                                            Release No. 0162.97
                                                               
                                                               
                                   Carol Blake   (202) 720-8998
                                                cblake@usda.gov
                                   Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959
                                              jredding@usda.gov


GLICKMAN NAMES FIVE MEMBERS TO NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD

     WASHINGTON, May 16, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced five appointments to the National Organic Standards Board.

     Newly appointed members for five-year terms are:  Marvin L. Hollen,
Nyssa, Ore., (farmer/grower); Steven J. Harper, Bellingham, Wash.,
(handler/processor); Carolyn W. Brickey, Tucson, Ariz., (consumer/public
interest); William P. Welsh, Lansing, Iowa., (environmentalist); and Eric J.
Sideman, Greene, Maine, (scientist).

     These board members' terms will begin immediately, as they replace
members whose terms have expired.

     The 15-member National Organic Standards Board advises the secretary
of agriculture on implementation of a certification program for producers
and handlers of agricultural products that have been produced using organic
methods.  USDA is developing a proposed rule for implementing a consistent
national standard for organic production and processing and for
accreditation of certifying agents. 

                                 
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