NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SMALL FARMS PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED

                                              Release No. 0280.97
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. 20, 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.

     Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development, Jill Long Thompson,
will participate in the Sioux Falls hearing.  The commission will hold a
business meeting August 21, open to the public, which will run from 7:00
p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will continue the next morning at 8:00 a.m. until the
public testimony begins at 10:15 a.m.

     Who:  National Commission on Small Farms Chair, Harold Volkmer,       
           Agriculture Under Secretary Jill Long Thompson, and the 
           27-member commission.

     What:  Public Hearing

     When:  Friday, August 22, 1997--10:15--5:00 p.m.

     Where: Best Western Ramkota Inn
           2400 North Louise
           Sioux Falls, South Dakota

     Those wishing to testify, but were 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 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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