USA: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 199 Document Number: D09870
Notes:
Via FSA website. 3 pages., Describes the USDA Certified State Agricultural Mediation Program administered by the Farm Service Agency. Cites examples, performance goals, results, resources and links to related sites.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 148 Document Number: D11592
Journal Title Details:
21(1-2) : 19-25
Notes:
8 pages., Online via UI e-subscription., Author introduces a model for use in program planning centered on formulation, administrative approval, and delivery of learning content. Cites planning as a process in which multiple parties with many disparate interests are present and the planner must work to negotiate those interests so that successful and effective programs are produced and provided.
19 pages., Online via UI Catalog., Authors discussed the benefits and challenges of managing environmental disputes through facilitation and mediation, where a neutral third party is engaged to help design and manage a constructive problem-solving process. The article included examples of mediation efforts.
5 pages., Online via UI Catalog. September-October issue., Authors described types of legal disputes in the equine industry, addressed why and when to use mediation, and offered suggestions on mediation methods.
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.
17 pages., Online via UI e-subscription, Author described a process which led to consensus on a new environmental law mediated by legislators and the governor. Identified key elements in the process: (1) the issue must be ripe for action; the parties must feel something may happen imminently without their input. (2) the issue must be complex, not likely to be addressed satisfactorily without cooperative problem solving. (3) the parties must be patient and committed to spending whatever time it takes to reach an agreement.
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.
