Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: October 24, 2006

Department of Agriculture’s Mediation Program Recertified by USDA

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that the Missouri Agricultural Mediation Program has been recertified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the federal fiscal year 2007. The mediation program is a low-cost program that provides an impartial resolution setting maintaining complete confidentiality for all parties involved.

“This recertification is great news for Missouri farmers and producers especially in a year when there have been many adverse conditions across the state,” said Fred Ferrell, director of MDA. “Mediation services will continue to be available to assist producers resolve disputes between themselves, their lenders and USDA programs.”

USDA determined that the Missouri Agricultural Mediation Program met all requirements of section 501(c) of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. Agricultural mediators work with producers on agricultural loans, wetlands determinations, compliance with farm programs, conservation programs, rural water loans, pesticides, crop insurance and National Forest System land grazing. The program first received certification from USDA in 2002 and has been re-certified each year since that time.

The Missouri Ag Mediation Program is administered by MDA’s Grain Regulatory Services Program and is available to farmers and producers who participate in USDA programs. For more information, please contact (573) 751-5520 or mediate@mda.mo.gov.

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