For half of the cooperators, the assistance is provided through

regular Cooperative Extension Service local offices, which, in turn.

receive research and training backup from a Staff of scientists and

assistants in these four fields of science. The other half of the

cooperators receive assistance directly from the project's staff.

Preliminary comparison indicates that small-scale farmers benefit

equally well from either approach.

 Planning Efforts to Meet the Needs of Small-Scale Farmers

Introduction

 In addition to the activities described, deliberations continue

in Congress, the Department of Agriculture, the land-grant universi-

ties, and various public and private institutions over the appropriate

response to the needs of small-scale farmers. Three of these stand

out as being of particular significance. One was the series of small

farm conferences held in 1978 through the joint efforts of the USDA,

Community Services Administration (CSA), and ACTION. The second is

the Small Farm Project of the National Rural Center, and the third

was an ESCS-sponsored small farm workshop. It is likely that the

outcomes of all these activities will influence future programs

directed toward small farms.

Small Farm Conferences

 Five regional small farm conferences were cosponsored by USDA,

the Comunity Services Administration, and ACTION during 1978. 4/


14/ Ovid Day, Theron Bell, and Marjorie Berninger, "Begional Small
 Farms Conferences: National Summary, "USDA, CSA, ACTION,
 Washington, D.C. (December 1978).