Here's a topic you might not have thought of as a "celebration" — conflict resolution. Yet that's what the Wyoming Agriculture and Natural Resources Mediation Program will do next week, the week of Oct.16-20.

To commemorate the week, the group is teaming with the University of Wyoming Extension Community Development Team to host two webinars and two workshops.

Each year, as part of Conflict Resolution Week, a day is set aside to promote awareness of alternative dispute resolution tools, and ways to creatively and peacefully manage conflict. This year, Conflict Resolution Day is Oct. 19. There are events planned all week for more opportunities to learn about mediation.

In Wyoming, the mediation program has been celebrating Conflict Resolution Day since 2011. They group is building on that effort with two webinars that take place Oct. 16 and Oct. 18. The webinar on Oct. 16 will focus on identifying and framing issues in mediation. On Oct. 18, the webinar will focus on alternative dispute resolution in Wyoming. Both webinars are free to anyone who wants to participate.

The two workshops will be held Oct. 19 in Cheyenne, Wyo., and Oct. 20 in Jackson, Wyo. During the workshops, participants will have the opportunity to expand their mediation skill set through demonstrations, role playing and discussion. Both workshops start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. and are open to the public. Each workshop costs $25 and includes lunch, coffee breaks and materials.

For more information about mediation and the Conflict Resolution Day events, contact Lucy Pauley at [email protected]. You can also visit the Wyoming Department of Agriculture's  Mediation Program website and click on "Conflict Resolution Week in Wyoming 2018" for details.

Why farmers?
While farmers have a lot on their plates this time of year, conflict resolution help can be important. With many employees, conflicts arise; with succession planning in a family, conflicts can arise; and even with trusted landlords, conflict can arise. The Wyoming Agricultural and Natural Resource Mediation Program offers a process to assist Wyoming citizens in resolving their disputes in a way that is voluntary, confidential, low-cost and time-saving.

The Wyoming program can assist producers and land managers with a range of issues, including U.S. Forest Service grazing permit disputes, ag credit issues, USDA adverse decisions, neighbor-neighbor conflicts, ag family estate planning disputes, easement and access issues, and ag business disputes. Pauley can offer information you need on the topic.

Source: Wyoming Agricultural & Natural Resource Mediation Program