PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
October 30, 2006 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recertified the Nebraska Farm Mediation program for federal fiscal year 2007.

"Recertification of this program verifies that the Nebraska Farm Mediation program meets or exceeds the standards set by the federal government," Ibach said. "Mediation services are especially important this year as our farmers and ranchers continue to be impacted by the ongoing drought."

The certification qualifies the Nebraska Farm Mediation program to work with producers on the following issues: agricultural credit, wetland determinations, compliance with farm programs, conservation programs, rural water loans, grazing on National Forest System lands, pesticides, rural housing loans, rural business loans both from the USDA and private sector, crop insurance, and other issues the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate.

Farm Mediation Program Manager Marian Beethe said, "Mediation provides an impartial setting to maintain complete confidentiality for all parties involved. Mediators do not decide the issues for the parties, but rather allow the parties to reach a mutually agreeable situation."

The Nebraska Farm Mediation program offers a wide range of low-cost mediation and dispute resolution services to farmers and ranchers, their creditors, and others. The agency also provides financial and credit counseling, assistance with financial and government program paperwork and other assistance.

Beethe urges any Nebraska farmer or rancher who is having financial difficulties to contact her at the Nebraska Farm Mediation program toll-free at 800-466-4071. The Nebraska Farm Mediation program offers farm mediation clinics free of charge. To learn more about the farm mediation clinics, contact Beethe at the above number or visit the Ag Calendar on the NDA web site located at www.agr.ne.gov.