Thornton Named as Director of USDA's Office of Outreach
                                                               
                                            Release No. 0434.97
                                                               
                                    Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                          tom.amontree@usda.gov
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov


THORNTON NAMED AS DIRECTOR OF USDA'S OFFICE OF OUTREACH

     TUSKEGEE, Ala., Dec. 8, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced the appointment of Samuel E. Thornton as director of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's newly created Office of Outreach.

     "I look to Sam Thornton to coordinate USDA's efforts to provide better
service to customers who haven't fully participated in USDA programs or used
USDA services in the past and to reach out to members of historically
underserved groups," Glickman said. "I am confident that with his leadership
and dedication, USDA's ability to reach targeted populations will be greatly
enhanced." 
     
     Glickman established the Office of Outreach on Aug. 22, 1997, to
coordinate and provide leadership in delivering programs and services to
USDA customers. USDA's Civil Rights Action Team report, released in February
1997,  recommended that USDA establish an Office of Outreach to ensure
oversight and coordination of outreach responsibilities within USDA.  The
office reports to  the assistant secretary for administration.

     Glickman also announced the establishment of a toll-free number, 1-800-880-4183, to make it easier for customers to reach USDA. For customers
in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the number is (202) 720-6350.

     To work in conjunction with the Office of Outreach, outreach liaisons
will be appointed by each agency.  In addition, national and state outreach
councils are scheduled to be in place by Jan. 1, 1998, to ensure that USDA
makes a concerted effort to reach out to historically underserved groups. 
The councils will be required to establish partnerships with community-based
organizations and land grant institutions.

     The Office of Outreach will use various USDA programs to reach under-served groups, including the Outreach and Technical Assistance to Socially
Disadvantaged Farmers Program, the Fund for Rural America, and the Farm
Worker Housing Program.  In addition, the following programs will be used
for special outreach to American Indians and Alaska Natives: the Extension
Indian Reservation Program, the Rural Utilities Service Water and Waste
Disposal Grant Program to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, and a new
partnership between USDA and the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop
a strategic outreach plan to address the needs of American Indian
agriculture and land conservation.

     Prior to this appointment, Thornton served as a senior advisor to the
secretary of agriculture and deputy director of USDA's Office of
Communications.  Before coming to USDA, Thornton was the senior legislative
assistant to U.S. Congressman Mike Parker of Mississippi.  A native of
Jackson, Miss., Thornton holds a B.S. degree in speech communication from
the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.A. degree in communication
from Grambling State University.
                                
                                #