What is Maine's Agriculture Mediation Program?

Maine's Agricultural Mediation Program is the official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—certified agricultural mediation program for Maine offering assistance to help resolve agriculture related disputes before they end up in court.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary process in which a neutral third party (the mediator) assists farmers, agricultural lenders, agencies, families and citizens to resolve disputes in a non-adversarial setting outside of the traditional legal and regulatory process.

What are the benefits of Mediation?

Mediation is:

• Neutral
• Voluntary
• Confidential
• Time Efficient
• Empowering
• Free!

What is Mediated?

• Unfavorable decisions made by USDA agencies
• Conflicts between farmers and their neighbors or communities
• Agricultural credit issues
• Family farm or estate planning concerns
• Any dispute affecting an agricultural operation