New York State Agricultural Progam
Agricultural mediation is a tool for farmers, agribusiness and others in the agricultural community to talk about difficult subjects and to reach fair and workable solutions without involving outside authorities. Mediation can help people solve problems, avoid escalating conflict, reduce stress, and save time and money. The process is confidential and convenient. Free or low cost services are available in every county of New York State.
A mediator helps you communicate clearly, figure out what you really want, and negotiate effectively. All of the mediators used are local, neutral and do not make judgments or decide the outcome of the mediation. The mediators are present to help the parties communicate, allowing those parties who are directly involved in the dispute make the decisions and solve the problems for themselves.
The list of disputes that can be mediated is endless, but here are some examples: loans or debts, neighbor complaints, small claims, labor problems, landlord/tenant, custody and visitation, divorce, farm business plan, family farm succession and USDA appeals. This service is free and confidential, so you have absolutely nothing to lose by trying to solve a dispute using mediation. In fact, over 80% of agricultural mediations end with an agreement, meaning that 4 out of 5 mediations end with satisfaction on both sides of the table.
For more information about this, and other special agricultural programs offered in New York State go to www.nysdra.org