Release No. 0307.97 Media Advisory Jim Brownlee (202) 720-2091 jbrownlee@usda.gov NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SMALL FARMS PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 15 IN SACRAMENTO, CA. WASHINGTON, September 8, 1997--The National Commission on Small Farms, chaired by Harold Volkmer, will hold a public hearing in Sacramento, California on September 15-16. 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 Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger will participate in the public hearing on September 15. The commission will conduct a general business meeting on September 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The commission will provide a report of its findings and recommendations to Glickman by September 30. Who: Agriculture Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger; National Commission on Small Farms Chair, Harold Volkmer; and the 30-member commission. What: Public Hearing When: Monday, September 15, 1997--2:00 p.m.--6:00 p.m. Where: Beverly Garland Hotel and Conference Center 1780 Tribute Road Sacramento, California The media and the public are welcome to attend. Those wishing to testify at the hearing who were unable to notify the commission office by September 8 will be able to sign up as a presenter the day of the hearing between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. These presenters will testify on a first-come, first-served basis. Written statements will be accepted at the meeting, or, they may be mailed to the commission office at USDA, P.O. Box 2890, Room 5237, South Building, Washington, D.C. 20013; or faxed to (202) 720-0596 by September 22. # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov