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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Small-Farms Commission In Clackamas On Friday

Compiled By Business Staff

For the week beginning Sept. 1

It’s a tough market for small farms these days. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes that and is looking for ways to help growers with small farms and limited resources survive.

“We cannot let America’s small farm heritage, the foundation of our rural communities, just slip through our fingers,” Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said when he announced the formation of the National Commission on Small Farms in July.

African American farmers are losing their farms at a rate three times higher than farmers overall. And with younger generations leaving farming to pursue other careers, the average farmer today is 58, according to Glickman. He directed the commission to find ways to help small and disadvantaged producers make their small farms economically viable and continue the farming tradition.

On Friday , the group will meet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m in Clackamas, Ore. at the Monarch Hotel, 12566 Southeast 93rd Ave. The event is open to the public and those who wish to testify can sign up the day of the hearing between 9:30 and 11 a.m. Written statements will also be accepted or they may be faxed to the Commission office by Sept. 12. Fax 202-720-0596.

In other events this week:

Today

Labor Day holiday. U.S. financial markets are closed.

Steelhead catch-and-keep fishing season opens on the Snake River.

Tuesday

The USDA National Commission on Small Farms meets in Albany, New York.

Wednesday

Washington State Potato Commission holds its quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. in Prosser, Wash.

The Oregon Wheat Foundation meets in Pendleton.

The Conference Board in New York releases the leading economic indicators for July.

Thursday

The USDA National Commission on Small Farms meets in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

University of Idaho’s College of Agriculture holds its annual picnic 6 p.m. at the Plant Science Farm on the Troy Highway.

Animals arrive for AlpacaFest Northwest at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Spokane. The alpacas will arrive at the llama barn, which is open to the general public. On Saturday judging and other events will begin at 10 a.m.

Friday

The Spokane Chamber of Commerce Ag Bureau meets at noon at the Stockyards Inn, 3827 E. Boone Ave.

Saturday

A special Canada goose hunting season in Eastern Washington begins today and lasts through Sept. 12. The general state waterfowl hunting season begins Oct. 11.

Sunday

Members of the Farmers Union meet with Congress and Clinton administration officials in Washington, D.C. to discuss family farm agriculture today-Sept. 10.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: On the shelf Business Week, Sept. 1: Cover story explores the prickly issue of “Sharing Prosperity” and what’s required to raise the real wages of Americans who have lost ground in recent years. Mega-bucks The 1990s bull market has lined the pockets of Wall Street’s investment bankers and financial wizards. Here are the top best-paid Wall Street executives for 1996, according to FinancialWorld magazine: George Soros, Soros Fund Management, $800 million. Julian Roberston, Tiger Management, $300 million. Henry Kravis, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co., $265 million. George Roberts, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co., $265 million. Stanley Druckenmiller, Soros Fund Management, $200 million.

This sidebar appeared with the story: On the shelf Business Week, Sept. 1: Cover story explores the prickly issue of “Sharing Prosperity” and what’s required to raise the real wages of Americans who have lost ground in recent years. Mega-bucks The 1990s bull market has lined the pockets of Wall Street’s investment bankers and financial wizards. Here are the top best-paid Wall Street executives for 1996, according to FinancialWorld magazine: George Soros, Soros Fund Management, $800 million. Julian Roberston, Tiger Management, $300 million. Henry Kravis, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co., $265 million. George Roberts, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co., $265 million. Stanley Druckenmiller, Soros Fund Management, $200 million.