The entire process cannot extend for more than 60 days without consent of all parties. Farm mediation can be requested anytime a producer feels a need may exist to resolve a dispute. You will be notified of your right to mediation whenever an adverse decision has been made against you by a USDA agency. It is not necessary, however, that an adverse decision be made prior to you requesting mediation. In fact, mediation may be more successful if requested earlier while more options are still available.
Mediation offers several advantages over other remedies in resolving disputes.
Participation in mediation does not constitute a waiver of any legal rights. If no solution is reached, the parties are free to proceed with the appeal or other legal remedies. While the overall goal of the program is to get the parties to the table to negotiate an agreement, that is just the last step to the process. Before that can happen, it is essential that all the parties are prepared for the process. The Department offers many services as part of the mediation program to insure that the parties find the mediation process successful.