No one farms because it’s easy. It is a life, not a job. So when changes in markets, weather, or conditions create debt or regulatory issues, the effects can be devastating. This happened in the mid-1980s when falling land prices and market shifts left many farmers landless and hopeless.

Anxious to respond to the ensuing stories of loss, Congress passed the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 and authorized the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to help individual states develop USDA certified mediation programs to intervene and assist producers with debt and certain regulatory issues.

After a modest beginning in the Midwest, 40 states now have a program either housed in their state department of agriculture, a land grant university, or a non-profit. Each program provides a confidential forum where a rancher or farmer can work out a plan with creditors and review regulatory decisions by USDA agencies.

Mediation services can even include counseling and financial analysis to help parties to work together. This is available at no cost to either the producer or the creditor, as long as the issue is included in federal enabling legislation.

WHAT’S COVERED?

Currently, issues regarding farm loans, credit issues, federal farm and conservation programs, wetlands determinations, grazing permits on national forest system lands, and rural housing loans are topics that can be addressed at no cost. Program advocates hope to expand coverage as demand increases for other agricultural-related topics.

Some examples of cases handled by the California Agricultural Mediation Program include the following:

WHAT IS MEDIATION?

Mediation is voluntary, and the mediator does not tell the participants what to do, or issue any ‘ruling.’ While the mediator can help the parties identify ways to proceed, the final decisions belong to the participants.

If there is no agreement, then the parties can proceed to an appeal or litigation if needed. More often than not, however, there will be progress or agreement through the mediation process.

Historically, approximately 75 percent of requested mediations end in settlement, and even if they do not, participants may have clarified information that will reduce other costs going forward, or leave with a better understanding of the issues.

Farmers and ranchers are independent, resilient people. Their relationships with USDA partners and creditors are often long-term and critical for the future of their business.  

When markets, weather, or other conditions create losses, it can be uncomfortable to talk about remedies. Calls go unanswered. Letters go unopened.

Mediators can support the parties by creating a workable plan and get farmers refocused on communication and resolution.

MORE INFORMATION

Requesting mediation is easy. In California, visit www.calamp.org and click on “request mediation” or call (916) 330-4500 - Ext. 101 for Matt Strassberg - [email protected]; Ext. 103 for the Southern California program coordinator Mary Madison Campbell - [email protected]; or Ext. 104 for the Northern California program coordinator Julia Rose Golomb - [email protected].

In Arizona, contact program coordinator Janet Wertsch at (480) 496-5926 or [email protected].

These programs are here to help, and there is no cost to the parties as long as the dispute is related to an agricultural loan, credit issue, or a USDA decision. If you are not sure, call us and we will be happy to talk to you further.