The 106 th Congress passed and the President signed legislation to extend the sunset of the USDA Mediation Grants Program until 2005. The bipartisan support of this federal legislation is a strong endorsement of state mediation programs and their effectiveness as a cost-saving means of dispute resolution. Mediation Program Continues by Chester Bailey, USDA Agricultural Mediation Program Specialist U SDA's popular Agricultural Mediation Program, administered by FSA, was recently reauthorized through fiscal year 2005. The number of mediation clients increased from 4,140 in FY 1999 to over 4,673 in FY 2000. And the number of agreements or resolutions increased from 2,898 in FY 1999 to over 3,411 in FY 2000.
Mediation continues to proliferate throughout society.
As a proven, cost effective, common sense approach to resolving problems, the North Dakota AMS should remain a part of the effort to streamline government and keep decision-making as local as possible.