GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES 1998 AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM DATES Release No. 0330.97 Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623 laura.trivers@usda.gov Maria Bynum (202) 720-5192 maria.bynum@usda.gov GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES 1998 AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM DATES WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced Agricultural Outlook Forum 98 will take place Feb. 23 and 24, 1998, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The forum will open Monday, Feb. 23, with addresses by senior Agriculture Department officials and an overview of global agricultural prospects and major issues facing U.S. agriculture. Government and industry analysts will forecast 1998 commodity prospects and USDA will release new long-term commodity projections to the year 2007. Focus sessions planned for the two-day meeting include risk management, food safety, acceptance of genetically modified products, and conservation programs. Market-expanding techniques such as niche and direct marketing, winning export strategies, and opportunities for small farms also will be featured. Preregistration is required to attend. To request program and registration details, call 202-720-3050, send e-mail to agforum@oce.usda.gov, or write to Outlook Forum 97, Room 5143 South Building, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250-3812. Complete details are also available on the World Wide Web at . The Omni Shoreham Hotel is located at 2500 Calvert St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Call 202-234-0700 for room reservations. A staffed press room for news media will be available. Call Martha Evans at 202-501-6134 for media registration. Public service announcements are available on request. # 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