GLICKMAN CREATES SMALL FARMS OFFICE
                                                               
                                            Release No. 0406.98

                   Media Contact: Laura Trivers  (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
          Public Contact:   Jennifer Yezak Molen (202) 720-1309
                                        Jennifer.Yezak@usda.gov

     
GLICKMAN CREATES SMALL FARMS OFFICE

     WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 1998 -- As part of his continuing efforts to support
small farms, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced plans to
create a Council on Small Farms and a new office at USDA that will deal
specifically with small farm issues. 

     Glickman told a meeting of the Small Farms Commission today that the
Office would coordinate USDA agencies' responses to the recommendations of
the Commission and help to institutionalize the progress and interest in
these issues.  The effort will be headed by Adela Backiel, currently Director
of Sustainable Development. 

     The office will identify additional opportunities for USDA involvement in
small farm issues and develop a strategic plan and an organizational structure
to integrate a small farm emphasis into USDA policies and programs.  Glickman
said, "From promoting farmers markets to fighting concentration in the
marketplace, USDA is committed to helping small farms not only survive, but
thrive.  This office, reporting directly to me, will maintain the focus of all
USDA's agencies on small and family farmers."  

     As part of the effort, Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger will chair the
Council on Small Farms to assure a coordinated framework for the development
of policy as it applies to small farms and the necessary follow through to
implement policy decisions.  Backiel will serve as Executive Director of the
Council.

     "I am very pleased that Adela has agreed to lend her leadership skills
and her enthusiasm to the Department's efforts on small farm issues," Glickman
said.  "She will be an advocate, both within the Department and to outside
organizations, for small and family farmers.  I have been impressed with
Adela's work on sustainable development and I know that she is uniquely
qualified to lead these efforts."

     As Director of Sustainable Development, Backiel develops, guides and
coordinates policies and programs in sustainable agriculture, sustainable
forestry and sustainable rural communities. From 1994-1995, she was the Deputy
Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment where she oversaw the
policies and programs of the USDA Forest Service. 

     From 1983-1993, Backiel was a specialist in natural resources policy and
head of the Congressional Research Service's Environmental Protection Section. 
She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Forest Resources and a Masters
in Public Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle,
Washington.

     Backiel will be supported by two deputy directors   one for small farms
and the other for sustainable development.  The Office will be located in the
Office of the Chief Economist and will report directly to the Secretary.  


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