Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program
A Joint Program of the Southern Illinois University School of Law and the College of Agriculture
The Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program is the certified state mediation provider for the State of Illinois. The Illinois program is administered through the Southern Illinois University School of Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic. The program assists agricultural producers, their creditors and others directly affected by the actions or decisions of the USDA in resolving disputes arising under various USDA programs. The program is federally funded. For more information about the federal Agricultural Mediation Program see the fact sheet at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/outreach/mediation.htm
What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral mediator guides parties who are involved in a dispute through a thorough discussion of the issues, and helps them identify and carefully consider possible resolutions. Mediators do not make any decisions about who is right or wrong, and they have no authority to require anyone to do anything. The parties themselves are responsible for devising a resolution to their dispute, and for following through with it.
How does the mediation process work?
• An Illinois USDA program participant is notified by a USDA agency that there has been an adverse determination, and that (s)he may choose to mediate.
• The program participant contacts the Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program (IAMP) to request mediation.
• IAMP contacts all parties involved to obtain their agreement to mediate, as well as more information about the dispute.
• When all participants have provided the needed information, a mediator is assigned and a mutually convenient time and location is arranged for the meeting.
• The mediator facilitates productive discussion at the mediation session.
• The parties discuss all issues, options, and possible solutions
• Parties reach an agreement or "agree to disagree."
• The mediator will record the terms and provide a copy of any agreement to all parties.
• If the parties reach an agreement, the parties implement the agreement.
All IAMP mediators will have completed mediation training and will be informed about the agricultural issues involved in the cases they are assigned. The mediators' professional backgrounds will range from law, psychology, agriculture, economics, etc. However, they will not be serving in these roles when they mediate. The mediators will travel to the county where the dispute has arisen, and generally hold the mediation session at the county's USDA office.
How long will it take?
The mediation program has been designed for expedient dispute resolution. The actual mediation session is usually conducted within 30 days from the date the Request for Mediation is received. The mediation sessions themselves will generally not go over two hours. However, depending upon the complexity of the issues, more than on session may be needed.
How do I request mediation?
If you participate in a USDA program in Illinois, and you have received an adverse decision letter that offers mediation as an option, you may call 618-453-5181 to request mediation.
If you are not a participant in a USDA program in Illinois, but you are an agricultural borrower or creditor, you may still qualify for our mediation service. Please call us at 618-453-5181 to discuss your situation.
Contact IAMP for other Information:
Illinois Agriculture Mediation Program
Southern Illinois University School of Law
1150 Douglas Drive MC 6821
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-5181
Fax: 618-453-8727
E-mail: iamp@siu.edu
Selected Links
Agricultural Mediation Program Fact Sheet
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/outreach/mediation.htm
USDA
www.usda.gov
Farm Service Agency
www.fsa.usda.gov
Risk Management Agency
www.rma.usda.gov
Natural Resources Conservation Service
www.nrcs.usda.gov
Rural Development
www.rurdev.usda.gov
National Appeals Division (NAD)
www.nad.usda.gov
Coalition of Agricultural Mediation Programs (CAMP)
www.agecon.nmsu.edu/mediation/CAMP.htm
National Agricultural Law Center
www.nationalaglawcenter.org
Farmers Legal Action Group
www.flaginc.org
Farm Policy
www.farmpolicy.com
Illinois Farm Service Agency
www.fsa.usda.gov/il
Illinois Regional Risk Management Agency
www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/fields/il_rso/
Illinois Rural Development
www.rurdev.usda.gov/il/
Illinois Natural Resource Conservation Service
www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/
Illinois Department of Agriculture
www.agr.state.il.us/