Environmental Mediation Center

Succession Planning for Farms: How to Start the Conversation with the Older Generation

EMC — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:41:11 +0000

Succession planning for farms isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about legacy, relationships, and trust. Passing a farm to the next generation requires courage, clarity, and communication across generations. The earlier conversations begin, the more options families preserve. With many farmers nearing retirement age and fewer young people entering agriculture, planning ahead has never been more important. There is certainty in preparation, but the process to get there can be complicated and can be overwhelming.

The following five tips will help you have successful farm transition conversations:

Create Accountability and Identify a Champion
Succession planning for farms works best when responsibility doesn’t fall on only one person. Start by creating a shared commitment across generations to protect the farm’s future by working together on a plan. You should also have someone at the farm who is the designated person moving the process forward.
Recognize Each Other’s Point of View
It’s common for family members and connected stakeholders to the farm to have different visions for the future. The senior generation may prioritize stability and legacy, while the younger one may prioritize innovation and sustainability. Focusing on what is possible moving forward creates room for conversations that build mutual understanding.
Build Financial Transparency
The next generation should have access to financial information for the best chance of success. Financial transparency doesn’t have to happen all at once. Start with shared goals, then grow into deeper conversations about assets, debt, and sustainability. If financial conversations prove to be a roadblock, consider bringing in an accountant or advisor.
Treat the Transition Plan as a Living Document
Writing down a shared vision for the transition will ensure everyone is on the same page and reduce misunderstandings. It serves as a roadmap for what needs to happen and by when. This is a working document, not a final verdict. A transition plan isn’t permanent; it evolves as families, markets, and life circumstances change.
Invite Neutral Parties for Support
A facilitator doesn’t replace family leadership, they protect relationships while guiding hard conversations. A mediator or facilitator has experience in family coaching and succession planning that can help create a sense of fairness, set the agenda at meetings, ensure nothing is missed, and encourage reluctant participants to become more involved.

Additional Tips for the Next Generation
Starting a conversation about succession planning for farms can feel intimidating, especially when the farm has been built through decades of hard work, sacrifice, and resilience. For many senior farm owners, the farm is more than a business; it’s their life’s work. If you’re part of the next generation, consider approaching the conversation with patience, respect, and curiosity.

Begin with appreciation, not pressure
Acknowledge the years of work and commitment that built the operation. Gratitude builds trust and opens doors to meaningful dialogue.
“I’m grateful for everything you’ve built and the sacrifices you’ve made for this farm. I’m not asking for decisions right now, I just want to start the conversation.”
Lead with questions, not requests
Try asking:
“What are your hopes for the farm in the future?”
“What does a good transition look like for you?”
“How can I best support the legacy you’ve built?”
Pick the right time
Avoid the busy or high-stress seasons. Pick a calm time when everyone can be present and focused.
Acknowledge that this is planning and not a take over
Emphasize that succession planning is about continuity, stability, and honoring the legacy and not rushing anyone out.
Be patient with the process
These conversations can take time. Change can be difficult, and expect that progress will happen in small steps.

Starting the conversation is the first and most meaningful step you can make in the future of your family, your farm, and your community. When you’re ready for support, submit a mediation request, and an experienced mediator will get you started.

The post Succession Planning for Farms: How to Start the Conversation with the Older Generation first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

When Conservation Goals Collide: How Farmers Can Use USDA-Funded Mediation to Navigate Easement Disputes

EMC — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:34:10 +0000

For farmers and ranchers, conservation easements can be a powerful tool—offering long-term protection of their working lands while securing financial stability.

However, the fine print of these agreements can sometimes become a source of confusion or conflict, particularly when land transitions to the next generation or landowner. For example, when a new structure or irrigation system is planned.

Increasingly, farm owners are turning to their state’s USDA-funded mediation programs to help resolve disputes related to their conservation easements—before the situation escalates to litigation or regulatory enforcement.

When Easements Make Sense

Conservation easements, especially those supported by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through programs like the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), allow farm owners to voluntarily restrict the use of their land to achieve environmental goals. These easements can help:

Keep land in agricultural use while preventing development.
Preserve wetlands and critical habitats, improving water quality and wildlife populations.
Provide financial compensation to farm owners, which can ease debt burdens or fund succession planning.

For many farmers, especially multi-generational operations, a conservation easement can be a way to ensure the land remains productive and intact for future generations. But what happens when interpretations of the easement terms begin to diverge?

Where Conflicts Arise: Case Studies

Disputes often emerge around what is or isn’t allowed on easement-restricted land in the following areas.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Case study: A third-generation farmer installed fencing on his land to better manage his cattle and protect a nearby wetland, but the new structure violated the terms of his USDA conservation easement, which required approval for any changes near the protected area. After receiving notice of non-compliance, the farmer turned to the USDA’s Certified State Mediation Program to resolve the issue. Through mediation, the farmer and the NRCS reached an agreement to move the fence further from the wetland, ensuring both his livestock management goals and the conservation easement’s requirements were met. This collaborative process allowed the farmer to avoid costly penalties and reinforced his understanding of the easement’s terms, ultimately benefiting both his farm and the environment.

SUCCESSION PLANS

Case study: As a senior generation of farmers considered how to pass on the farm to their eldest son, they also sought to recognize and give some of the land to their other children. They considered whether they could divide their property. The land trust was invited into the conversation to discuss what was possible. As a result, the farmers ended up exploring ways to create spaces for their other children to stay on the farm and to receive income that the farm would generate (but not subdivide the property) in order to stay in compliance with the easement terms.

AGRITOURISM

Case study: A farm that turned to agritourism in order to keep their operation viable, received a notice of non-compliance from their land trust and was asked to cancel any agritourism activities from that point forward. In mediation, the parties were able to discuss what activities are allowed within the language of the easement and what were not. Together, the land trust and farmer developed a modified agritourism activity that would meet the terms of the conservation easement and allow the farm to generate income from agritourism.

NRCS & LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Case study: A farm owner who entered into an NRCS conservation easement reached out to his state AMP for mediation when he received a non-compliance letter, and the expectation was for him to take the grant-funded greenhouse he had installed down and return the funds. In mediation, NRCS unearthed that due to an error made by the prior landowner, the current farmer was not at fault and shared a course of action that the farmer could take to (1) keep the green house and (2) not have to reimburse NRCS for the grant money involved, and (3) learned the steps that he could take to make sure he could qualify for future NRCS funds.

These are not uncommon scenarios, and they can be frustrating for farm owners who entered the agreement in good faith.

The Role of Mediation

USDA’s Certified State Mediation Program offers an accessible path forward. Through state-based mediation providers, farm owners, land trusts, and agency representatives can engage in structured dialogue, facilitated by a trained neutral mediator. Mediation is voluntary, confidential, and designed to help both parties reach a mutually agreeable solution, without the cost and rigidity of formal legal proceedings.

Unlike adversarial processes, mediation allows space for education, clarification of contract terms, and relationship repair. Farm owners may bring in legal counsel, technical experts, or agricultural advocates to support their case, while land trust and agency staff can clarify regulatory requirements and offer potential accommodations.

A Preventive Tool, Not Just a Last Resort

Farmers who engage in mediation early—at the first sign of misunderstanding—are often better able to maintain control over the outcome. Mediation can also prevent a small disagreement from escalating into a regulatory violation or funding clawback.

Mediation can also be useful at the early stages when conservation easements are being created to ensure that the needs of the current and future agricultural operation are taken into consideration.

As conservation easements become more common in American agriculture—especially with increasing climate and water quality goals—mediation can help ensure that trust, transparency, and cooperation remain at the center of federal conservation policy.

If you are a farm owner with questions or concerns about an existing conservation easement, your state’s USDA-certified mediation provider could be the first step toward resolution.

Even if you are not certain that mediation could be of use in your situation, know that you are welcome to contact your state mediation program to have a free, confidential conversation to discuss what is going on.

The state program will let you know if mediation is an option or will direct you to other resources that may be of help in your situation.

Find your state’s certified mediation program here.

California
Hawaii
New Hampshire
Vermont

The post When Conservation Goals Collide: How Farmers Can Use USDA-Funded Mediation to Navigate Easement Disputes first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

How Mediation Helped One Farm Navigate Succession Planning Across Generations

EMC — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:25:15 +0000

When Anna Nakamura Knight returned to her family’s fifth-generation citrus farm, she faced the daunting task of succession planning. Thanks to The Regenerator program and the expert mediation of Mary Campbell from CALAMP, the Knight family found a way to pass on operations while preserving both their land and legacy. Their story is a powerful example of how thoughtful succession—and the right support—can strengthen both family bonds and farm futures.

Read the full story on California FarmLink »

The post How Mediation Helped One Farm Navigate Succession Planning Across Generations first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

Facilitation Lays Groundwork for Vermont’s First Major Act 250 Update in 30 Years

EMC — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:34:05 +0000

For many, updating Vermont’s Act 250, a pivotal land-use law that remained largely unchanged for nearly three decades, seemed impossible. Deeply entrenched interests and divergent viewpoints stalled progress each time either side proposed changes.

Over 50 years ago, Act 250 was one of the very first state-level policy innovations to reform the use of local land use controls, protect the environment, and better guide growth. It was called the “Quiet Revolution in Land Use Control.” But time tests all change, and Act 250 was increasingly seen as a hindrance by diverse interests, often at odds with each other. It hadn’t received major updates since the mid-1990s.

“Everyone had their own view of how to modernize Act 250, but there was no consensus. Act 250 predated several landmark environmental laws such as the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. The challenge was how to reduce any redundancy with other environmental laws and land use permitting programs while maintaining environmental protections,” Matt Strassberg, a professional facilitator and the director of the Environmental Mediation Center, said.

Business and environmental organizations couldn’t agree on a path forward, and as a result, there was a longstanding stalemate on making major changes.

“For many years, there were several efforts to amend Act 250 to enable more housing to be built, but we didn’t succeed. Obtaining an Act 250 permit adds time and money to the development of affordable housing, something Vermont can’t afford in the middle of this housing crisis. If a permit is appealed, the project can be delayed for two years or more,” Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development Kathy Beyer of Evernorth said.

On the other hand, environmentalists have argued that Act 250 doesn’t provide strong enough protection from development in response to climate change.

“Prior efforts failed to result in the major changes we hoped for due to a number of factors, including a lack of consensus on how to reform Act 250,” Brian Shupe, Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council, said.

Governor Phil Scot vetoed the most recent reform bill, H.687, which aimed to modernize Act 250 by balancing housing growth with environmental conservation. The Governor’s disapproval highlighted the contentious nature of the proposed changes.

Nevertheless, the Legislature overrode the veto in June of 2024 and underscored the unified determination to overhaul Act 250. The update to Act 250, H.687, will now become law.

Stakeholders say that the Environmental Mediation Center (EMC), which facilitated constructive dialogue, was central to the successful reform. Momentum to find consensus began in 2023 when discussions facilitated by EMC set the stage for conversations in the following legislative session that would shape H.687 and ultimately lead to its passage.

“Through this project, we worked closely with a diverse stakeholder group and, somewhat surprisingly, we reached an agreement on a balanced package of changes that eliminated Act 250 jurisdiction in appropriate smart growth locations and increased protection of sensitive natural resources and forests. The EMC team’s tireless efforts and the relationships forged with the stakeholders were key in developing the compromise,” Shupe said.

EMC became involved after the Legislature required the Vermont Natural Resources Board (NRB), which oversees Act 250, to undertake a stakeholder project to develop recommendations for updating Act 250. The NRB contracted with the EMC to facilitate the meetings with stakeholders and provide the final report. EMC launched the facilitated stakeholder project in June 2023 to meet the December 31, 2023 deadline for delivering the final NRB report to the legislature.

Sabina Haskell, Chair of the NRB, reflected on the monumental challenge and how EMC helped pave the way for success, “I knew the process would be challenging given the historically different perspectives and opposing agendas of many of the stakeholders. I hoped we could produce a report that would be helpful to the Legislature but I thought it was a near impossible ask that the diverse stakeholders would sign off on one set of recommendations. The stakeholders kept their minds open and debated proposals back and forth. The EMC facilitated the project and helped us do the impossible.”

Director Matt Strassberg underscored the importance of bringing stakeholders together through professional facilitation before their conversations in the legislative session.

The EMC assembled a team of facilitators and land use experts including Maxine Grad (former Chair of the Vermont House of Representatives Judiciary Committee), Toby Berkman (Consensus Building Institute), Tom Daniels (Land Use Professor from the University of Pennsylvania), and Jack Kartez (Mediator/facilitator and Professor Emeritus, University of Southern Maine).

Strassberg says having subject matter experts on the team was critical. They brought an understanding of state-of-the-art land use policy and permitting programs from across the country to help develop practical and effective options for modernizing Act 250 for the stakeholders’ consideration.

The EMC and the NRB formed a steering committee comprised of leaders who represent a variety of constituencies with an active stake in the Act 250 program: applicants, consultants, attorneys, economic development organizations, housing organizations, municipalities, district coordinators and commissioners, environmental advocates, and state agencies. In addition to the steering committee, the EMC met individually with six interest-based focus groups comprised of leaders in each of the sectors listed above.

“Even though for a decade or more every time one side proposed changes, the other side would shoot it down, we saw it wasn’t a zero-sum game where if one side got what they wanted, the other would lose,” Strassberg said. “It was about working with the parties and asking them whether if they got what they really wanted, could they compromise on other things because they were getting their key priority issues.”

Strassberg says that in addition to working with the steering committee and interest groups, the EMC held meetings with parties one-on-one to hammer out the proposal and discuss what each side would be willing to accept to ensure that they got their high-priority issues. The major reforms passed in H.687 include decreasing Act 250 regulation in existing development centers and increasing Act 250’s protections in ecologically sensitive areas.

Kathy Beyer, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development at Evernorth, highlighted how the process ultimately benefited everyone: “The facilitation team asked steering committee members to identify our priorities for amending Act 250 then worked to help us develop a package deal where we were all able to achieve our top priorities. In the end, housing and other developments were exempted from the downtown areas where we prefer to build affordable housing and there is increased protection for sensitive natural resources areas. Somehow, everybody won.”

As Vermont moves forward, the lessons learned from this collaborative process will continue to shape future policy-making efforts, ensuring that the state remains a leader in balancing economic progress with environmental stewardship.

For a detailed overview of the facilitation process that led to the reformed law, visit: www.emcenter.org/vermont-act-250/.

The post Facilitation Lays Groundwork for Vermont’s First Major Act 250 Update in 30 Years first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

Toolkit for Agriculture Producers Seeking Financing

EMC — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:31:00 +0000

A new Loan Readiness Toolkit aimed at helping farms and food businesses meet their financing needs is now available from agriculture lenders and service providers across New Hampshire.

Preparing a loan application can be daunting and puzzling. This toolkit is designed to help make the process clear, transparent, and supportive. Lenders can provide additional resources and guidance to help a business owner determine whether a loan is the best answer for their needs and what they need to apply and qualify for one.

Through the partnership, farmers and food business owners will be able to get assistance in a variety of areas:

Business model and situation,
Assessing whether debt is the answer,
Getting ready to talk to a lender,
Understanding what documents may be required,
and more.

The toolkit provides insight into the characteristics lenders look at when considering a business loan application. For example, you will want to present a clear plan about your overall business, your strengths and weaknesses, your business’s financial condition, how you will use the money you borrow, and how you will repay it.

“We hope this toolkit equips farmers and producers with valuable guidance on how to access capital and that it provides a clearer understanding of the complexity of the loan process and ultimate partnership of the business owner and lender,” said Charlene Andersen, Farm and Food Lender at the N.H. Community Loan Fund.

DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT

The toolkit can also be downloaded from the websites of the following agriculture lenders and service providers: New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, UNH Extension, Farm Credit East, Vital Communities, Land for Good, Rural Development, Walden Mutual, and the N.H. Department of Agriculture.

The post Toolkit for Agriculture Producers Seeking Financing first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

3 Tips for Harmonious Conversations at Holiday Gatherings

EMC — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 12:25:28 +0000

The holiday season is typically a time of joy and connection. However, when interacting with people during family gatherings who have different viewpoints from you, conversations can arise that become unproductive or tense.

To ensure that everyone around your dinner table enjoys the occasion, here are three tips to help you have more harmonious conversations at your next holiday gathering. By using these techniques and tools for friendly dialogue, you can create a positive atmosphere where everyone feels heard and respected.

Pause before responding

In our typically hurried lives, we too often are either multi-tasking or rushing between conversations with others.

Instead, take a moment to be present. Put your phone away and look directly at the other person. Focus your complete attention and listen to what they are saying.

Repeat what you heard

Nearly every time we listen to others, we are preparing our own response, defense, or clarification. Verbal communication is an imperfect transaction.

Instead of responding with your own story or defense, repeat in your own words what the speaker shared. This is an opportunity to check your understanding and see if you are really getting the essence of what the other person is saying.

You don’t need to repeat it word for word, but honor the other person with the acknowledgment that you are hearing them. This not only assures them you are listening; it gives them a moment to think about whether they were expressing what they really meant.

They get to hear themselves and consider their own words.

For example, if your friend tells you with a sigh that they are stressed by their child’s recent behavior at home and school, you can respond, “It sounds like (child’s name) has not only been doing things privately in your house, but also in public places like school, and you are pretty upset.”

No fixing, just truly listening to your friend or family member.

Detect

Once you share with the other person what you heard, they will likely tell you more details about the situation.

They may even note that, in fact, they hadn’t meant exactly what they said and will clarify their words, helping you both understand more clearly. Become a heartfelt detective and continue to listen with curiosity instead of judgment.

Instead of interrupting or inserting a story about your own life, stay curious and ask questions that request more detail like:

What are you thinking about doing next?
How are you feeling after all this happened?
What do you think would be helpful?

The key is to seek understanding rather than agreement.

Even if you disagree with the other person, remember it is not about the topic. Save any argument about who is right or wrong for another time. Take this precious opportunity to understand the world of the other person, even for just a few moments. You don’t need to agree with them to understand them.

This holiday season, the most precious gift you can offer is your attention.

Try these three practices (pause, repeat, and detect) and have fun!

In the New Year, if you want continuing support around communication, know that we at the Agricultural Mediation Program are here to help.

We provide free mediation to farmers and agricultural professionals in California, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

The post 3 Tips for Harmonious Conversations at Holiday Gatherings first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

Hawaiʻi Agricultural Mediation Program Expands Services to Include Labor, Contracts, and More

EMC — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:04:47 +0000

The Hawaiʻi Agricultural Mediation Program (HIAMP) today announced that farmers in the state of Hawaiʻi can now access free mediation services for a broader range of agricultural issues. Since 2012, HIAMP has helped farmers resolve disputes confidentially and for free. Now, with support from the USDA and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, HIAMP is expanding its services to include mediation for issues related to assessments, contracts, cooperatives, farm management, labeling, labor, and water.

“Farmers in these situations may find it difficult to resolve these issues by themselves. Whether it’s a situation involving water, an employee’s housing or pay, or a dispute with a governing agency about the language used on their products, both sides often try everything to fix the problem on their own but aren’t able to make the progress hoped for,” HIAMP mediator Steve Bess said. “It’s amazing how effective mediation can be in helping to find mutually acceptable solutions.”

Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process where an impartial person (mediator) helps parties explore their options and negotiate agreements. Recent HIAMP data show success rates of over 80 percent when mediation is tried before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or some other dispute resolution method.

Napela Payne Barthel, of a 300-acre farm on Hawaiian Home Land in Pu’ukapu, Waimea, says HIAMP has helped reduce stress and improve their farm operations.

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

Agricultural mediation programs like HIAMP exist in 43 states across the U.S., and are certified and funded by grants from the USDA. The program was created to help farmers, lenders, creditors, and the USDA resolve issues informally and without the transaction costs associated with the legal system.

HIAMP offers on-site mediation sessions and teleconferencing sessions so that everyone has access to this service no matter where they live. Bess says issues are typically resolved or improved dramatically within one to three meetings.

The complete list of agricultural issues eligible for free mediation now includes assessments, contracts, debt issues, disputes involving cooperatives, crop insurance, credit counseling, farm loans, family farm transitions, farm management, farmer-neighbor disputes, labor issues, labeling, land and equipment leases, organic certification, pesticide issues, USDA farm and conservation programs, USDA rural development loans, water disputes, and wetlands determinations.

For more information or to sign up for free mediation with HIAMP, visit www.HIAMP.org. You can fill out an online request form or contact Matt Strassberg at matts@emcenter.org.

About the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Mediation Program:

The Hawaii Agricultural Mediation Program (HIAMP) is the official United States Department of Agriculture-certified agricultural mediation program for Hawaii. HIAMP is a program of the Environmental Mediation Center (EMC), a non-profit organization that designs and administers environmental and agricultural dispute resolution programs.

The post Hawaiʻi Agricultural Mediation Program Expands Services to Include Labor, Contracts, and More first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

California Agricultural Mediation Program Expands Services to Include Labor, Contracts, and More

EMC — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:09:05 +0000

The California Agricultural Mediation Program (CALAMP) today announced that farmers in the state of California can now access free mediation services for a broader range of agricultural issues. Since 2015, CALAMP has helped farmers resolve disputes confidentially and for free. Now, with support from the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), CALAMP is expanding its services to include mediation for issues related to farm management, contracts, labor, farmers’ markets, and cooperatives.

“As our farming communities face unprecedented challenges, it is essential to find cost-effective, efficient solutions. With mediation, farmers and the agricultural community can explore collaborative options that consider everyone’s interests and concerns, resulting in practical and long-lasting outcomes,” CALAMP Director and Mediator Matt Strassberg said.

Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process where a neutral third party (mediator) helps parties negotiate agreements. Recent CALAMP data show success rates of over 80 percent when mediation is tried before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or some other dispute resolution method.

“Mediation is an informal and fast way to resolve problems,” said Secretary Karen Ross of CDFA. “This expansion of services will help farmers save money and find solutions quickly so they can get back to playing their critical role in our food system.”

One farmer said of the process, “I tried to resolve my dispute on my own for 18 months but was shot down on every avenue I tried. Once we got into mediation, they really started to listen to me for the first time, and we were able to resolve the dispute quickly.”

Agricultural mediation programs like CALAMP exist in 43 states across the U.S. and are certified by the head of the Department of Agriculture in each state and funded by USDA grants. The program was created to help farmers, lenders, creditors, and the USDA resolve issues informally and without the transaction costs associated with the legal system.

CALAMP offers on-site mediation sessions and teleconferencing sessions so that everyone has access to this service no matter where they live. Strassberg says issues are typically resolved or improved dramatically within one to three meetings.

The complete list of agricultural issues eligible for free mediation in California now includes: contracts, cooperatives, credit counseling, crop insurance, family farm transitions, farm credit/debt issues, farm loans, farm management, farmer-neighbor disputes, farmers markets, labor, leases (land and equipment), organic certification, pesticide issues, USDA farm and conservation programs, USDA rural development loans, and wetlands determinations.

For more information or to sign up for free mediation with CALAMP, visit www.CALAMP.org. You can fill out an online request form or contact Matt Strassberg at matts@emcenter.org.

About the California Agricultural Mediation Program:

The California Agricultural Mediation Program (CALAMP) is the official United States Department of Agriculture-certified agricultural mediation program for California. CALAMP is a program of the Environmental Mediation Center (EMC), a non-profit organization that designs and administers environmental and agricultural dispute resolution programs.

The post California Agricultural Mediation Program Expands Services to Include Labor, Contracts, and More first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

Podcast: Resources to Resolve Tense Situations and Difficult Conversations

EMC — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 16:31:31 +0000

Ever had a conversation that didn’t go well, and afterward, you replayed all the ways it could have gone better?

Let’s face it; we’ve all been there.

If you want to feel better when you walk away from a difficult conversation, check out this podcast episode from Progressive Dairy. The tips apply to all types of farmers (and non-farmers too).

Host Kimmi Devaney is joined by two of our agricultural mediators.

They discuss a resource that can help you resolve some of the tense situations and difficult conversations that inevitably come up while managing a business, especially one with your family.

Listen here or search for “Progressive Dairy Podcast” wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s the Jan. 31, 2023, episode called “Resources to resolve tense situations and difficult conversations.”

Need help navigating your specific challenges with a difficult conversation or topic?

You can set up a free call to learn how agricultural mediators can help you create the solutions you desire.

Find your state below and fill out the ‘request for mediation form’ to schedule (scroll to the bottom of the web page) a call. Services are confidential and free to farmers.

California
Hawaii
New Hampshire
Vermont

Visit agriculturemediation.org for mediation for all other states.

Questions? Contact Matt Strassberg, Director, at (802) 583-1100 or via email.

The post Podcast: Resources to Resolve Tense Situations and Difficult Conversations first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.

How to Have Productive Conversations When Disagreements Happen

EMC — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:46:38 +0000

We all find ourselves in situations where we need to have tough conversations. No one wants to deal with conflict, yet it’s important to remember that productive conversations are still possible, even when it seems like neither side is willing to budge.

For farmers, hard conversations might involve banks, businesses, government agencies, neighbors, or family members. Knowing what to say can be difficult when the farm’s success depends on the outcome.

Agricultural mediators have seen these challenges firsthand. Trained agricultural mediators understand the industry and can facilitate conversations between parties to resolve their differences without taking a side.

Jenna Muller mediates farm disputes in California. In addition to being a lawyer, Muller also is an owner at Full Belly Farm, a 450-acre organic, fruit, and vegetable operation in Northern California. As a farmer, she knows the myriad challenges and opportunities facing family farms and agricultural businesses.

Muller says, “Conflict may be an unavoidable part of life, but it doesn’t have to be negative. When handled correctly, conflict can also be an opportunity for growth and understanding.” She has helped farmers resolve disagreements about organic certification, address property-line disputes with neighbors, and helped family members find consensus about how to run the farm. “Sometimes,” she says,” the hardest part is just starting the conversation.”

Agricultural Mediation Programs Exist Across the U.S.

Agricultural mediation programs exist in 43 states across the U.S. Muller is one of two staff agricultural mediators for the California Agricultural Mediation Program (CALAMP). The head of the department of agriculture in each state certifies an entity to administer the mediation program, and the USDA provides funding support to make mediation free for farmers.

Since 1988, the programs have helped those in the agriculture industry resolve issues informally, without the transaction costs associated with the legal system. It’s also confidential, so farmers can feel open to exploring all solutions.

Cara Cargill of the New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program became an agricultural mediator after 16 years of managing large horse farms and teaching horseback riding. She specializes in agricultural and environmental issues.

Cargill says a common issue that can benefit from mediation is farmer and neighbor or community member disputes. She says a mediator’s job isn’t to decide who’s legally right or what to do next but to encourage open discussion and leave the decision-making up to the parties involved.

“Many farmers are hesitant to engage with community members when these issues arise because they fear the situation will escalate,” Cargill said. “As mediators, we work with farmers to help them resolve these types of right-to-farm issues so they can let go of the stress they are carrying.”

Matt Strassberg is an agricultural mediator and director of the Vermont Agricultural Mediation Program (VTAMP) who brings over thirty years of experience in environmental law and mediation to the work. He says farmers often ask if they will have to talk about their feelings during mediation and want to stick to business.

“Sometimes mediation focuses solely on making the best economic decision under the circumstances and has little to do with emotions or feelings,” Strassberg says. “More often than not, we find that the substantive issue was stressing the relationship between the parties. Once we help the parties find some common ground, they can reconnect with one another as business partners, neighbors, or community members. Having that neutral person, the mediator, there to moderate the discussion and ask good questions makes a difference.”

Tips for Having Productive Conversations

Agricultural mediators say farmers can learn how to have tough conversations and feel good about them by following these tips.

Listen with Curiosity

Before you share your point of view, listen to understand the other person. Try saying: “Can you tell me more about why this is important to you?” I’d like to understand more about what you’re trying to tell me, so I don’t fill in the blanks with something that’s not true.”

Playback and Reflect

People like to know that you understand them. Be sure you understand the other person’s concerns. Try saying: “It sounds like you’re worried about [insert their concerns]. Am I getting that right?”

Acknowledge

Be sure that you acknowledge the issue’s impact on them. Show that it’s important to you to solve the problem. Try saying: “I see how this has affected you. It’s important to me to try to resolve this.”

Share Your Perspective

Once someone feels heard and acknowledged, they have more capacity to understand what you are going through. At this point, you are not sharing solutions yet; you’re sharing what you’re going through. Try saying: “The impact of this issue on me has been…”

Connect & Problem Solve

If you’ve taken the time to understand someone else, they will probably have a better ability to understand what you want to say. Having felt heard, they are more likely to listen to you. Now you can problem-solve together. Try saying: “It sounds like we both want to see this handled. Here’s something I can do. What do you think?”

It Takes Time to Learn New Conversation Skills

Mary Campbell a mediator with CALAMP says to remember it’s okay to make mistakes.

“Don’t be afraid to give these tools a shot. It’s a practiced skill, and people will always appreciate your effort and understanding,” Campbell says. “It’s better to try and to take the time to hear each other.”

To practice your skills, Campbell suggests interacting with people who aren’t close to you.

“The most challenging place to practice is at home, with family or close friends. Instead, practice with someone who may have a different viewpoint from you on a topic, but with whom you don’t have a strong emotional connection. Give yourself permission to learn and keep trying. It is not win or fail; it is win or learn,” Campbell says.

If you need more assistance with an upcoming conversation, your state mediation program may be able to help. The first step is to contact an agricultural mediator to discuss your unique situation. You can find your state mediation program at www.agriculturemediation.org/certified-states.

The list of agricultural issues eligible for free mediation varies by state. Free mediation is often available for debt issues, farm loans, family-farm transitions, farmer-neighbor disputes, land and equipment leases, organic certification, pesticide issues, USDA farm and conservation programs, USDA rural development loans, and wetlands determinations.

Originally published in Progressive Dairy.

The post How to Have Productive Conversations When Disagreements Happen first appeared on Environmental Mediation Center.