Risk Management Agency Program Announcement

NATIONAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR JULY

Contact: Marie Buchanan (202) 690-2686

WASHINGTON, Jun 26, 2000 – The Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced that the Survival Strategies for Small and Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers National Conference, will be held July 23-25, 2001, in Memphis, Tennessee. Newly confirmed Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Dr. J.B. Penn will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Penn is USDA's leading representative in farm bill deliberations this summer.

The three-day conference will provide a forum for networking between public and private agricultural professionals. Nationally known speakers will focus on five different types of risk--production, marketing, financial, legal, and human resources. The Conference will also address barriers faced by small and limited resource farmers and ranchers and by producers in under-served areas.

Agri-business professionals need to make reservations now as seating for the conference will be limited. If you have questions or would like to receive a registration packet, please contact: Marie Buchanan by phone: 202-690-2686, or e-mail: RMACivilRights.Outreach@rma.usda.gov. Registration is also available online at: http://www.rma.usda.gov/calendar/2001/july.html#memphis.