NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SMALL FARMS PUBLIC HEARING

                                              Release No. 0270.97

Media Advisory                        Jim Brownlee (202) 720-2091
                                               jbrownlee@usda.gov

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SMALL FARMS PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 22 IN   
  SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

     WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 1997--Harold Volkmer, chair of the National
Commission on Small Farms, has announced that the commission's next public
hearing will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on August 22.  The commission,
appointed by Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, is charged with finding new
ways to support small and limited resource farmers and to study the problems
facing these farmers and recommend ways to help them.

     "The commission held a successful public hearing in Memphis, Tennessee,
July 28, and we look forward to meeting with interested parties in Sioux
Falls," Volkmer said.  "We're looking for testimony from farmers, ranchers,
academics, the financial community and others to lend their perspective on
solutions to enhance the viability of the nation's small farms."

     Volkmer said people interested in testifying must contact the office of
the National Commission on Small Farms by August 15, in order to be placed on
a list of witnesses.  Those wishing to testify, but unable to notify the
commission office by August 15, will be able to sign up as a presenter August
22 on a first come, first served basis starting at 12:30 p.m.

     The hearing will be held at the Best Western Ramkota Inn, 2400 North
Louise, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Public testimony will begin at 10:15 a.m. 
Comments and statements should be sent to: National Commission on Small Farms,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2890, Room 5237, South Building,
Washington, D.C. 20013.

     The media and the public are welcome to attend.  For information on
participating in the hearing please contact Jennifer Yezak Molen, Director,
National Commission on Small Farms at (202) 690-0648 or fax at (202) 720-0596. 
Information on additional hearings will be announced shortly.

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