NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SMALL FARMS PUBLIC HEARING

                                              Release No. 0300.97

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

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SMALL FARMS PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 10,
11 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

     WASHINGTON, September 3, 1997--The National Commission on Small Farms,
chaired by Harold Volkmer, will hold a public hearing in Washington, D.C. on
September 10 and 11.  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.

     Glickman will participate in the hearing the morning of the 10th.  The
commission will continue to meet on Thursday, September 11, however no public
testimony is scheduled for the second day.

     Who: Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman;  National Commission on Small
          Farms Chair, Harold Volkmer; and the 30-member commission.

     What: Public Hearing

     When: Wednesday, September 10, 1997  9:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m.

     Where: USDA Jefferson Auditorium (South Building)
           1400 Independence Avenue
           Washington, D.C. 

     The media and the public are welcome to attend.  To testify at the
hearing contact the office of the National Commission on Small Farms at (202)
690-0648 or fax at (202) 720-0596 by Monday, September 8 to be placed on a
witness list on a first-come, first-served basis.

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