GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES NEW FSA ADMINISTRATOR


                                            Release No. 0172.97
                                                               
                                    Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                             tamontree@usda.gov

GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES NEW FSA ADMINISTRATOR

     WASHINGTON, May 23, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced the appointment of Keith Kelly, a former director of the Arizona
Department of Agriculture, as the new administrator of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA).

     Kelly, a native of Red Lodge, Montana, has spent the bulk of his
professional career as a public servant working on behalf of U.S.
agriculture.  He was appointed the first director of the Arizona Department
of Agriculture in 1990 and served in that position until his selection to
head the Farm Service Agency at USDA.  From 1981-1988, Kelly served as
deputy director and director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.

     "Keith was born on the farm, and he's been fighting for American
agriculture ever since," Glickman said.  "Given all the challenges facing
the agency -- from civil rights to reorganization to the new farm bill --
FSA needs strong leadership.  They will get that in Keith Kelly.  His
experience running a large agency, his vast knowledge of farm policy, and
his vision for agriculture's future and the FSA's make him a very solid
choice to join USDA's leadership."
     
     "While working for the states of Montana and Arizona," Glickman said,
"Keith has dealt with everything from traditional row crop agriculture to
fighting to open foreign markets to U.S. agricultural products.  He
successfully reorganized the Arizona Department of Agriculture and has been
a leader in working to diversify and strengthen the agriculture economy of
the state," Glickman said.  As administrator of the FSA, Kelly will oversee
the delivery of national farm programs though offices in all 50 states and
Puerto Rico.

     "I will look to Keith to guide the agency and shape its mission to
provide the highest level of service to our customers.  He also will be
charged with being a strong advocate of civil rights and working with the
Civil Rights Implementation Team to ensure that all USDA employees and
customers are treated with respect and dignity," Glickman said.
     
     "The opportunity to head the Farm Service Agency at this critical time
is an exciting challenge and a great honor," Kelly said.  "I look forward to
using the experiences I've had at the state and local level to help shape a
strong future for America's farmers and ranchers, and for FSA."
     
     In addition to his work at the Montana and Arizona departments of
agriculture, Kelly served as administrative assistant to the Montana
Lieutenant Governor from 1977 to 1980.  In this position, he served as the
chairman of the Governor's Ad Hoc Committee on Agriculture.  Kelly also
spent time as a marketing specialist for the Montana Wheat Commission and as
assistant director of Western Wheat Associates, a wheat marketing
association.

     Kelly holds a masters degree in agriculture economics from Montana
State University.  He and his wife, Norma Jean, have four children.
                                 
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