ABOUT THE EMC

The Environmental Mediation Center (EMC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to mediating and facilitating agricultural and environmental issues. The EMC helps parties develop mutually acceptable solutions and a feasible plan to achieve those solutions.

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Access Mediation for Free

The EMC administers USDA-certified programs that provide free mediation services to the agricultural community on many issues including leases, organic certification, credit issues, family farm transitions, adverse agency decisions, and other topics. We serve four states. Choose yours to get started.

California

CA Agricultural Mediation Program

Hawai'i

HI Agricultural Mediation Program

New Hampshire

NH Agricultural Mediation Program

Vermont

VT Agricultural Mediation Program

80%+ SUCCESS RATE

when mediation is tried before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or some other dispute resolution method, according to recent EMC data.

California

CA Agricultural Mediation Program

Hawai'i

HI Agricultural Mediation Program

New Hampshire

NH Agricultural Mediation Program

Vermont

VT Agricultural Mediation Program

Contact us for a confidential and free consultation to explore your options. Mediation is free to the agricultural community.

“People have different visions, and a disagreement can disrupt the flow of an operation. The mediation process brought grounded clarity resulting in an invaluable sense of peace and ability to return our focus to the enjoyment of providing food for our island community.”

Napela Payne Barthel

Now Offering Communication Training

Check out our live interactive communication trainings, guided by expert facilitators and mediators. Learn online or in person at your location. Free options available for agricultural nonprofits and governmental agencies.

Facilitation for Environmental & Agricultural Public Policy Projects

Beyond mediation, we support productive public policy discussions through professional facilitation. Explore ways we’ve worked with public policy leaders and stakeholders to help them solve complex issues and build consensus in the agricultural and environmental sectors.

Vermont Act 250 Stakeholder Project

Act 250, Vermont’s landmark land use law was passed over 50 years ago. Learn about the EMC’s work with diverse stakeholders to reach consensus on updating Act 250.

Forestland Transfer Initiative

Vermont’s forested landscape is vital to the ecological health and economy of the state. Learn how the EMC can help your family make a plan for the future ownership and stewardship of this vital land.

Lake Champlain Phosphorous Pollution

Lake Champlain is threatened by phosphorus pollution from a variety of sources. This project seeks input from the agricultural community and other stakeholders on the most effective ways to improve water quality.

Kauai Agricultural Good Neighbor Program

The EMC is evaluating the effectiveness of the Good Neighbor Program by conducting focus group meetings, interviews, and a survey.

New Hampshire Meat and Poultry Project

Increasing Communication and Collaboration with New Hampshire’s Meat and Poultry Producers and Processors.

Vermont Act 250 Stakeholder Project

Act 250, Vermont’s landmark land use law was passed over 50 years ago. Learn about the EMC’s work with diverse stakeholders to reach consensus on updating Act 250.

Forestland Transfer Initiative

Vermont’s forested landscape is vital to the ecological health and economy of the state. Learn how the EMC can help your family make a plan for the future ownership and stewardship of this vital land.

Lake Champlain Phosphorous Pollution

Lake Champlain is threatened by phosphorus pollution from a variety of sources. This project seeks input from the agricultural community and other stakeholders on the most effective ways to improve water quality.

Kauai Agricultural Good Neighbor Program

The EMC is evaluating the effectiveness of the Good Neighbor Program by conducting focus group meetings, interviews, and a survey.

New Hampshire Meat and Poultry Project

Increasing Communication and Collaboration with New Hampshire’s Meat and Poultry Producers and Processors.

Don’t leave the success of your environmental or agricultural project to chance—hire a professional facilitator for the best outcome.

Environmental Mediation Screening for Governmental and Regulatory Bodies

The EMC also designs and administers environmental dispute resolution programs utilizing mediation screening for governmental and regulatory permitting bodies. Mediation screening helps identify the right cases for mediation and matches those cases with appropriate resources to maximize the likelihood of the parties reaching settlement.

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