DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AT CARVER DEDICATION 
                                            Release No.0397.99 
                                                               
                                                               
                    Media contact:  Andy Solomon (202) 720-4623
                                          andy.solomon@usda.gov
            Pubic contact:  Martha Cashion Abrams(202) 720-3310
                                        martha.cashion@usda.gov


GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR MINORITY AND SOCIALLY
DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AT CARVER DEDICATION

     WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 1999 Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced nearly $1 million in additional assistance for minority and socially
disadvantaged farmers during the naming and dedication ceremony for the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's new George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville,
Md.

     USDA will provide nearly $1 million in grants to 1890 land grant and
other minority-based institutions to provide technical and other assistance to
minority and socially disadvantaged farmers.  In addition, USDA will enter
into a cooperative agreement with the National Conference of Black Mayors to
provide guidance, assistance, and information on the vast array of federal
services and assistance available to minority and socially disadvantaged
farmers.

     The recently constructed headquarters facility was named the George
Washington Carver Center in recognition of the extraordinary contribution
Carver made to agricultural innovation and American life.

     Carver developed and taught crop rotation methods for conserving
nutrients in soil, a practice that revolutionized farming in the South.  As an
agricultural chemist, he developed  industrial applications from agricultural
crops and discovered hundreds of new uses for peanuts, soybeans, pecans, and
sweet potatoes.  He is recognized by many as one of the finest scientists the
world has ever known.

     "I can think of no better name to grace this complex than that of George
Washington Carver," Glickman said.  "He helped significantly improve the lives
of American farmers through his innovative research.  We at USDA are dedicated
to following in his footsteps." 

     The new $57 million facility in Beltsville, Md., houses over 1000 USDA
personnel.   Its construction is part of a ten-year plan to save money by
bringing all Washington-area USDA employees from leased space into federally
owned space.

     Designed using energy efficient systems and materials, the facility has
received industry recognition for its cost-saving features.  The facility also
features a centralized management contract with Melwood, a nonprofit agency
employing people with disabilities, people of low income, and people
transitioning from welfare to work.

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