During the past 10 years, 154,000 American small farm operations ceased to exist. To turn around this alarming trend of attrition, the National Commmission on Small Farms is holding hearings across the nation, including one Monday, Sept. 15, in Sacramento.The 30-member commission includes Vice Chair Desmond Jolly, UC Davis ag economist and director of the statewide UC Small Farm Program based at UC Davis."In California, we have a great deal of diversity on our small farm operations," Jolly says. "Some are on the cutting edge of innovations, but some are tenant farmers who operate on thin margins with limited access to capital."The commission will look at ways to ensure that small farmers gain greater access to markets, technology, information and credit.The public hearing will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Beverly Garland Hotel and Conference Center, 1780 Tribute Road, Sacramento. Individuals interested in presenting information to the commission may sign up at the meeting between 2-3 p.m. to testify on a first-come, first-served basis. Comments will be limited by the time available and number of presenters.