In the last decade, the mediation program has allowed farmers in 24 states to resolve disagreements outside the traditional process of an often time-consuming, costly, contentious litigation system. By entering into a mediation program, a farmer can avoid appeals, bankruptcy and even foreclosure.
Mediators serve as neutral facilitators and keep things confidential.
They do not make decisions for the disputing parties, instead acting as an honest broker between the two. No party is compelled to participate in mediation, unless otherwise required by state law. The program will expire without congressional action. That would be a mistake. It's given farm families in Iowa a second chance at holding on to their livelihood.