Rural Development Perspectives (ISSN 0271-2171) is published three times a year by the Food and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Rural Development Perspectives welcomes letters to the editor as well as ideas for articles. Address editorial correspondence and inquiries to:

Executive Editor Rural Development Perspectives
USDA/ERS/FRED
Room 2171
1800 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-5831

Or call (202) 694-5398

Contents of this journal may be reprinted without permission, but the editors would appreciate acknowledgement of such use and an advance copy of the material to be printed. Opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the policies of USDA. The use of commercial or trade names does not imply approval or constitute endorsement by USDA or ERS.