Jane-
Frank is doing the production for the hearing and I will be attending with
him.  I spent some time with Richard Bender, Senator Harkin's DC staffer,
this week.  Ann Venaman, Ag. Secretary is in Des Moines today.  My
understanding is that Mark Halverson, Harkin's main Ag. staffer will be at
the hearing with him as well.  Ellen Huntoon is splitting her time between
committee work in DC and Iowa as "Rural Initiatives" liaison.  She would be a
very good person to meet with in Iowa.  She spent eight years heading up the
USDA-Rural Development office during the Clinton administration.
Shelley