The Secretary of Agriculture by Departmental Regulation No. 1043-43 dated July 9, 1997, established the National Commission on Small Farms

On July 16, 1997, as part of his continuing efforts to support small and limited resource farmers, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced the formation of a 30-member National Commission on Small Farms to study the problems of small farmers and recommend ways to help them. "We cannot let America's small farm heritage, the foundation of our rural communities, just slip through our fingers", Glickman said at the time. "We must carefully look at the barriers facing small farms and seek solutions to these problems. This is the charge I have given to the men and women who will serve on this Commission." 

The Commission also was asked to look at ways in which USDA could: 

• ensure that small farms are treated fairly and have an equal opportunity to compete in the market place. 

• encourage small farms to adopt farm operations and production practices, such as value-added cooperatives or direct marketing, that can help to improve their profitability. 

The Commission consisted of 30 members. Members included a chair, two vice chairs, and represented small farms and ranches, finance, commerce, rural communities, nonprofit organizations, academia, state and local governments, Native Americans, farm workers and other interests as determined by the Secretary. Equal opportunity practices in line with USDA policies were followed in all appointments to the Commission. 

To ensure that a national strategy for small farms would take into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA programs, membership included, "to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities."  By Department regulation, the Commission’s term expired in July 1999, two years after its establishment.

On September 8, 1999, Departmental Regulation 9700-1 established the USDA Small Farm Policy.

On November 16, 1999,  Departmental Regulation 1043-46 established the Advisory Committee on Small Farm (Committee) to replace the Commission.  On December 6, 1999, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman named 19 members to serve on the Committee.

 

In a transmittal letter dated July 1998, the USDA National Commission on Small Farms transmitted its report, A Time to Act, to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Commission began its work in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 28. Subsequent public hearings and meetings were held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on August 21 and 22; Washington, DC, on September 10 and 11; and Sacramento, California, on September 15 and 16. Three smaller meetings were held in Albany, New York; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Portland, Oregon." 

The results of these hearings and meetings are incorporated in the eight policy goals and 146 recommendations published in the Commission's report, A Time Act. Below is a summary of the these policy goals: