AGRICULTURE SECRETARY GLICKMAN TO HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY

                                              Release No.0352.97 

Media Advisory


                                   Jim Petterson (202) 720-4623
                                         jim.petterson@usda.gov



AGRICULTURE SECRETARY GLICKMAN TO HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Will Discuss Details of New Sign-Up Period For Conservation Reserve Program

     WASHINGTON, October 10, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman will hold a media availability
Tuesday, October 14 to formally kick-off the 16th sign-up period for the Conservation Reserve Program.

     Tuesday's media availability will be held at 10 a.m. in room 200A of the Jamie Whitten Building, 14th and
Independence, SW.

     The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was modified recently to emphasize benefits to the environment in
reducing soil erosion, water and air pollution, and enhancing wildlife habitat.  The combined size of wildlife habitats
established through the CRP is twice as large as the National Wildlife Refuge System and all state-owned wildlife areas
in the contiguous 48 states combined.  The first sign-up under the new rules was held in March of this year.

     The CRP is a voluntary program under which landowners and operators enter into contracts with USDA to
place highly erodible and other environmentally-sensitive cropland into the program for 10-15 years.     In exchange,
landowners receive annual rental payments for the land and cost-share assistance for establishing conservation practices. 


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