The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (IFAS) operates the Florida Agricultural Mediation Service. This service is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA has agreed to enter mediation to explore all available options to help agricultural producers, their creditors, and other persons directly affected by the actions of the USDA to resolve disputes and reduce costs associated with administrative appeals, litigation, and bankruptcy.

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. Mediation is a cost-free mechanism that allows the disputing parties this opportunity.

Mediation takes time and commitment from all involved. However, since the parties control the results of mediation (what is agreed to) there is a potential for greater satisfaction with the results obtained than is the case for appeals and litigation.

If you elect to mediate your dispute with USDA, you do not waive any rights you may have to appeal the decision of USDA in accordance with the rules and regulations of USDA. However, if you request an appeal before requesting mediation, your mediation rights are considered waived.

Mediation is confidential. Subject to certain exceptions (i.e. expression of intent to commit a crime) no participant in a mediation conference can be forced to disclose what occurs during a mediation conference, and a participant can prohibit another participant from revealing information disclosed or statements made during mediation. The mediator cannot be forced to testify as to what occurred during the mediation.

If you wish to have your dispute with USDA mediated, you must notify the Florida Agricultural Mediation Service of your decision in writing no later than 30 days after the date of the decision which you wish to mediate. You can send a written request for mediation to:

Florida Agricultural Mediation Service
PO Box 110210
Gainesville, Florida 32611-0210
Telephone: 1-888-712-9421
Telefax: 1-(352) 846-0458

Email: fams@ifas.ufl.edu