Release No. 0235.97

Remarks

                               OF
                     SECRETARY DAN GLICKMAN
      CREATION OF A NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE SMALL FARM
               WASHINGTON, D.C. -- JULY 16, 1997

     Good morning. Thank you all for being here. You know, Lou Holtz, the
great football coach, used to say,  life is 10% what happens to us, and 90%
how we react to it.' For most of us in agriculture, it's been quite apparent
what's happening to America's small farms over the past several decades.
What's not been nearly so apparent is any sort of strategic reaction from
the federal government. We're here today to try and change that, and
hopefully make life a little easier for America's small farmers and ranchers
in the process.

     As many of you know, one of the recommendations of the Civil Rights
Action Team was to form a National Commission on the Small Farm to examine
the threads of economics, civil rights and rural conditions that effect
whether or not folks are able to stay on the land.

     Today, I'm announcing the formation of that commission. It will be
headed by a great champion of American agriculture -- big and small --
Harold Volkmer, the former Congressman from Missouri. He served with me for
many years on the House Agriculture Committee. Harold will be joined by 2
vice-chairs: Dr. Desmond Jolly, Director of the Systemwide Small Farm
Program at University of California at Davis, and Kathleen Sullivan Kelley,
who was born and raised on the family farm and ranch that she now manages in
Colorado.

     It's a solid team. It's got tremendous breadth, depth and diversity of
every kind -- geographic, ethnic, not to mention different perspectives --
farmers, ranchers, academics, financial folks.  

     They'll spend a couple of months traveling the countryside holding
public forums and talking to all kinds of people. In fact, I hope to join
them for their first session in Memphis on July 28. They'll use these
dialogues, build on the many reports that have already documented the
obstacles facing smaller-sized operations, and take this effort to the next
and necessary level: Finding solutions. 

     I've asked the commission to have on my desk, no later than September
30, a proposed national strategy on small farms. 

     In their charter, I've asked the commission to examine a wide array of
issues: What kinds of efforts -- be they public, private or non-profit --
could improve the viability of small farms? How are current programs, at
USDA and elsewhere, helping ... or hurting? What are the needs -- in terms
of credit ... risk management ... research ... extension? How effective are
niche crops, direct marketing, value-added coops in boosting small-farm
incomes? How can we help more beginning farmers and farm workers become farm
owners? 

     I've also asked for specific recommendations: How do we make existing
programs more effective? What new programs are needed, perhaps to sturdy up
the small farm safety net? How can we encourage the adoption of practices
that increase small-farm profitability?  How do we get the word out about
what works? How can we help the little guy get a fair shake in the
marketplace? 

     All this revolves around the big question: What role -- if any --
should the federal government play given the very determined trend toward
larger and fewer farms? Can government help, or would we just be paddling
hopelessly upstream?

     This may not be the meaning of life, but it's a fairly profound
philosophical question. After all, we're not dealing with a natural disaster
or a dip in markets. We're dealing with a changing way of the world.
American agriculture, like every other major sector of our economy --
banking, health care, retail -- is growing more efficient and globally
competitive.

     On the one hand, that's giving us record farm incomes and exports
which are cause for celebration. But on the other hand, more and more folks
are concerned that it's getting harder for your average person to achieve
the rural American dream and earn a decent living from the land. 

     When you look at the fact that the average age of today's farmer is
58, this is something that should concern every American.

     So the question is not big versus little, but: Can we find a
meaningful way for the 2 to coexist? I'd like to think the answer is  yes.'
I'm proud of the people we've assembled to lead this effort. I hope to act
swiftly on their recommendations, and I'd be glad to take any questions.

                                 
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