The University of Iowa’s Institute for Economic Research predicts continuedgrowth in employment and income for Iowa into next year. U-of-I economicsprofessor Beth Ingram found some surprises in preparing the forecast, suchas an increase in employment growth.Ingram says non-farm employment grew a surprising three-percent in the firsttwo quarters of this year. She says that’s due, in part, to some successfulemployee recruitment efforts.Farm income is expected to drop 11-percent this year, but Ingram says thathasn’t put the brakes on the overall economy.Ingram says there’s a chance the farm economy could turn around slightly in2000. She says an improvement in the Asian economies could lead thatimprovement.Ingram says approval of the federal farm bills would give the agricultureindustry a boost of support. Ingram says personal income growth in Iowa isexpected to increase three-point-four percent in 2000.