USDA'S AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM 2000 SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 24-25



OCE Release 4-99

                                                     

Media Contact: Maria Bynum (202) 720-5192 maria.bynum@usda.gov

Public Contact: Raymond Bridge (202) 720-5447

rbridge@oce.usda.gov





     WASHINGTON, July19, 1999 The U.S. Department of

Agriculture's Agricultural Outlook Forum 2000 will be held on

Feb. 24 and 25, 2000.  The meeting will take place at the Crystal

Gateway Marriott Hotel located at 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway,

Arlington, Va.  22202.



     USDA holds a forum each year to provide timely forecasts of

farm prospects and insight on developments affecting the farm

economy.   Speakers include top officials, government and

industry analysts, farmers, and experts from business,

government, and universities. USDA plans to release a new set of

long-term commodity projections at the forum.



     The public and press are invited to attend the event, which

attracted nearly 1,200 participants in February 1999.  Pre-

registration is recommended. A staffed press room for news media

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

registration.



     Program and registration details will be available this

fall.  To be notified, send postal and e-mail addresses to

agforum@oce.usda.gov, call 202-720-3050, or write to Outlook

Forum 2000, Room 5143 South Building, USDA, Washington, DC 

20250-3812.  Conference details will be posted 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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