7 pages., Online via UI Catalog. 7 pages., "Taking a dispute to court costs money - lots of money. Mediation is often a cheaper and quicker alternative, and being properly prepared can help the process."
3 pages., Online via UI e-subscription., Lenders involved in the University of Minnesota Extension Farmer-Lender Mediation Program sent 55% more mediation notices to farmers in fiscal year 2009, compared with the previous year. These notices generated 1,102 requests for mediation by farmers, 639 were completed, and 66% reached a settlement.
11 pages., Via UI Online Catalog., Author notes that farmers, creditors and mediators have somewhat different perspectives, creating difficulties in the mediation process. This analysis involved a mail survey involving a random sample of farmers, representatives of the financial institution involved, and the mediator (Farm Credit Services staff). Respondents were asked to base their general experience with mediation. Result measurements involved satisfaction level of participants, premediation activities of the mediator, mediator activities during the session, characteristics of the participants, and relationships between the disputing parties. Findings highlighted the need to train mdiators in a wide variety of contextual and substantive techniques.
