U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Chief Economist



MEDIA ADVISORY

                                           OCE Release No. 3-98

                                 Raymond Bridge (202) 720-5447 

                                           rbridge@oce.usda.gov



USDA TO HOLD SEVENTY-FIFTH OUTLOOK FORUM ON FEB. 22-23, 1999



     WASHINGTON, July 28, 1998–The Department of Agriculture will hold the seventy-

fifth yearly agricultural outlook forum Feb. 22 and 23, 1999.  The  meeting, Agricultural

Outlook Forum ‘99, will take place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel located at 1700

Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Va. 22202.

     

     The forum will open Monday morning, Feb. 22, with an overview of agricultural

prospects and major issues shaping the outlook.  During the two-day meeting, government and

industry analysts will provide timely forecasts of commodity prospects and USDA will release

new long-term commodity projections.  Business, farm, and government representatives will

discuss recent developments affecting the economic outlook for agriculture.



     The public and press are invited to attend the event, which attracted more than 1,000

participants in February 1998.  Pre-registration is recommended.  A staffed press room for news

media will be available.  Contact Martha Evans at 202-694-5118 for media registration.



     Program and registration details will be available this fall.  To be notified, send your 

postal and e-mail addresses to agforum@oce.usda.gov, call 202-720-3050, or write to Outlook

Forum '99, Room 5143 South Building, USDA, Washington, DC  20250-3812.  Complete

details will be posted when available on the World Wide Web at www.usda.gov/oce.



     For hotel reservations, call the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel at (703) 920-3230;

mention the USDA Outlook Forum for the preferred rate.



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