Resource Center
National Resources
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
National Suicide Hotline
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Are you are in crisis? Be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.
(800) 273-TALK / (800) 273-8255
Mediation Resources
FSA Fact Sheets
This FSA fact sheet from 2016 has up to date info explaining mediation programs and listing the state contacts for existing mediation programs.
Disaster Resources
Farmers Legal Action Group
FLAG offers a number of guides and updates about federal risk management and disaster programs that can help protect your farm business against natural disasters. A good place to start is their Farmers’ Guide To Disaster Assistance, written by flag attorneys to explain FEMA assistance, federal crop insurance, USDA’s Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency.
Rural Advancement Foundation International
RAFI-USA has a fantastic set of resources to help you navigate Disaster Programs, including information covering disaster preparedness and disaster recovery.
Specialty Crop Growers
Farmers who grow specialty crops often face a unique set of hurdles in securing crop insurance and risk management tools.
State Resources
Click on your state to learn more
Alabama Agricultural Mediation Program
The Alabama Agricultural Mediation Program is a USDA – certified state program that offers mediation services to Alabama Agricultural farmers, their creditors, and USDA Agencies.
(334) 240-7151
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Arizona Agricultural Mediation Program
Mediation is a useful tool to address difficult conflicts by bringing all the parties together, facilitating discussions, allowing meaningful dialogue to occur, and acting as a neutral third party with no decision making authority. If the mediation is successful, the parties negotiate a settlement agreement. Mediation can be a lower-cost and less stressful alternative to the court system.
(480) 496-5926
Arkansas Development Finance Authority
One may simply say that mediation is a way for a person to help two other people to “settle their problem.” But mediation always seems to require more discussion to fully understand. In fact, it is fair to say that the only way one can truly understand mediation is to go through a number of mediation sessions in different categories of disputes to fully grasp the process.
(501) 682-5895
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’s services are free to the agricultural community on many issues. Mediation is a way to resolve disputes using an impartial person to assist parties negotiate their differences.
(802) 583-1100
Colorado Agricultural Mediation Program
The Colorado Agricultural Mediation Program helps farmers and ranchers who are dealing with contentious issues, such as: private and federal loan programs, crop insurance, wetlands, CRP, and rural housing.
(888) 358-8837
The Connecticut Agricultural Mediation Program
The Connecticut Agricultural Mediation Program (CTAMP), administered through the Quinnipiac University School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution, provides mediation and other conflict resolution services to Connecticut’s agricultural and rural community. Certified and sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), CTAMP’s services are available state-wide at little or no cost for USDA customers.
(800) 870-2577
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
The Hawaii Agricultural Mediation Program
The Hawaii Agricultural Mediation Program (HIAMP) is the official United States Department of Agriculture certified agricultural mediation program for Hawaii. HIAMP provides free mediation services to the agricultural community to help resolve disputes before they end up in court.
(802) 583-1100
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Illinois Agricultural Mediation Program
The Illinois Agricultural Mediation Program (IAMP) is the state certified mediation program for the state of Illinois. The program assists agricultural producers, creditors, and others directly affected by the actions or decisions of the USDA in resolving disputes arising under USDA programs. We also handle cases brought through Rural Housing and Ag decisions.
(618) 549-1300
Rural Services of Indiana, Inc.
This project provides mediation services to rural residents, producers, their creditors, and other persons directly affected by actions of USDA agencies. Mediation is a means for parties in a dispute to exchange information and to explore options in a non-binding setting. Through mediation, parties work toward a resolution while avoiding the cost and time usually involved in pursuing administrative appeals or litigation.
(800) 288-6581
Iowa Concern Hotline
Iowa Concern Hotline is a program of the Iowa State University Extension service and provides access to an attorney for legal education, stress counselors, and Information and Referral services. The web site features and extensive Frequently Asked Questions database for legal, finance, crisis and disaster, and personal health issues. The web site also features a live chat service where one can connect with a stress counselor and talk one-on-one in a secure environment. All services are available 24/7 at no charge. The Iowa Concern Hotline is also connected to the IA Farmlink program for new and retiring farmers, and to the Beginning Farmer Center, Sowing the Seeds of Hope, and Agriwellness to strengthen their range of services.
(800) 447-1985
Iowa Mediation Service
Iowa law provides for several types of rural mediation, including farmer-creditor, farm nuisance, and care and feeding contracts. These types of mediation are mandatory under the Iowa Code 654. In each case, the requesting party makes a formal application to Iowa Mediation Service, providing contact information and details of the dispute when appropriate. Our receipt of the request starts a 42-day period, 21 days during which the responding party has a chance to decide on mediation, and if mediation is desired, a further 21 days for Iowa Mediation Service to schedule a session.
(515) 331-8081
Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services
Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services is here to assist you with your agricultural questions. We have been providing Kansas producers with legal, financial and mediation services for over 25 years.
(800) 321-3276
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Maine Statewide Crisis & Suicide Prevention Hotline
If you are concerned about yourself or somebody else, call the Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline to be connected to your closest crisis center.
(888) 568-1112
Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service
Maryland Agricultural Conflict Resolution Service is the official US Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified agricultural mediation program for Maryland, offering confidential assistance to help resolve agriculture related issues in a productive environment.
(800) 492-5590
Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration
Since 2002, MOPC has been providing a range of services for agricultural issues through its USDA-sponsored MA Agricultural Mediation Program. The AgMed Program helps resolve disputes, involving farm loans, price support payments, wetland determinations, conservation compliance, and conservation. The program promotes the use of mediation as a tool to prevent or minimize escalation of conflicts and to resolve conflicts at the earliest possible stage. In partnership with the MA Dept. of Agriculture (DAR) and other agricultural organizations, MOPC provides outreach and mediation services, conflict resolution training and support to municipal Agricultural Commissions appointed as town standing committees to help sustain the community’s farm businesses and farmlands. MOPC teaches commissioners how to prevent and manage conflict effectively, and provides access to professional mediators if they are not able to resolve the conflicts themselves.
(888) 869-1898
Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program
The Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) helps resolve disputes between producers and their lenders, creditors or the USDA agencies with which they work.
(517) 334-0034
Minnesota FirstLink 211
The FirstLink 211 Helpline is a simple, easy to remember, free number that connects callers to information about health and human services. 2-1-1 callers in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, will be connected to FirstLink 2-1-1 Helpline, which provides confidential listening and support in addition to information and referral. Call specialists are also trained in crisis intervention, including suicide intervention.
(701) 235-7335
Farmer-Lender Mediation
Mediation is the use of a trained neutral facilitator —a mediator—to assist in the negotiations of parties in a dispute. Mediation is an informal and confidential process that generally requires less cost and time than adversarial court litigation.
(218) 935-5785
Farm and Rural Hotline
A new Farm & Rural Helpline is now available to Minnesota farmers and rural residents. The service, funded by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), is free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(833) 600-2670
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Missouri Agricultural Mediation Services
The Missouri Agricultural Mediation Program assists farmers and ranchers, their creditors and others directly affected in resolving disputes. This service helps in reducing participants’ costs associated with administrative appeals and litigation. Mediation services for agricultural related issues are available to all farmers and ranchers. Situations including tenant/landlord, borrower/lender and neighbor/neighbor may be settled using mediation as a form of dispute resolution. All U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program participants who have disputes with USDA agencies may utilize mediation to help solve the dispute.
(701) 235-7335
Montana Department of Agriculture Mediation
Mediation is a process that helps disputing parties come together and have an open, honest and confidential discussion about the issues. A trained mediator helps the parties explore options that are available to them and find an end to the conflict through mutually agreed upon solutions. The mediator does not act as a judge, deciding who is right or wrong. The parties themselves control the result of the mediation and any agreement that is developed. Mediation is another tool to help agricultural producers and natural resource managers make wise decisions.
(406) 444-3144
Center for Rural Affairs
The Center for Rural Affairs is a nationally recognized policy analysis and advocacy organization focused on the upper Midwest and Great Plains. Among its several programs, the Center offers a Sustainable Options Hotline that provides information to organic and sustainable farmers and ranchers, including those beginners looking to get started in farming or ranching, on how they can use farm bill programs for their operations. The hotline is part of the Center’s larger mission to establish strong rural communities, social and economic justice, environmental stewardship and genuine opportunity for all.
(402) 687-2100
Nebraska Rural Response Hotline
Interchurch Ministries of NE is the state’s ecumenical organization which houses the Farm Crisis Response Council that oversees the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline. The hotline provides phone counseling vouchers for one-on-one counseling, financial, and/or legal advice. The Hotline offers estate and transition planning workshops. We also assist beginning farmer/ranchers and retiring farmer/ranchers on programs available to them. The hotline also does outreach to farm youth about stress reduction and farm safety.
(800) 464-0258
Nebraska Negotiations Program
The Negotiations Program uses mediation as an effective means to resolve agricultural disputes. The mediation process maintains confidentiality, fosters positive relationships, allows you a voice in the solution, and is cost effective.
(800) 446-4071
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
The New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program
The New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program (NHAMP) is the official United States Department of Agriculture certified agricultural mediation program for New Hampshire. NHAMP provides free mediation services to the agricultural community to help resolve disputes before they end up in court.
(802) 583-1100
New Jersey Agricultural Mediation
Farmers, neighbors, and muncipalities may use the free Agricultural Mediation Program to help resolve Right to Farm-related issues. In the event of a Right to Farm dispute, mediation may be used as an alternative to the formal complaint and public hearing process outlined in the Right to Farm Act. Parties interested in mediation are encouraged to request mediation early on, such as before any formal public hearings have begun or even before a formal complaint has been filed.
(609) 984-2504
New Mexico Agricultural Mediation Program
The New Mexico Agricultural Mediation Program (NMAMP) mediates agricultural disputes between farmers and ranchers and USDA throughout the State of New Mexico. The program is administered by the Cooperative Extension Service at New Mexico State University and has been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
(800) 289-6577
New York FarmNet
The NY FarmNet has many resources available for farmers who call their 24/7 hotline. These include a resource library, referral network, on farm consultants, workshops, and a website. On-farm consultants help provide free and confidential solutions to a range of issues involving finances, farm changes, disaster, stress, family communication and conflict. NYFarmNet also does commodity work with dairy, tree fruit and grapes.
(800) 547-FARM / (800) 547-3276
NYS Agricultural Mediation Program
The New York State Agricultural Mediation Program (NYSAMP) provides the agricultural community with the opportunity to communicate clearly and negotiate effectively in order to find fair and workable solutions to challenges they face. Decisions are made by the people directly involved, and not by mediators or outside authorities. Mediation through NYSAMP is completely confidential. Consultations to discuss mediation and whether it might be useful in a specific situation are also confidential. NYSAMP partners with affiliated mediation centers in order to provide services to agricultural producers in every county of New York State.
(866) 669-7267
North Carolina Agricultural Mediation Program
For almost a decade, the North Carolina Agricultural Mediation Program (NCAMP) has been working with North Carolina residents to resolve disputes with the US Department of Agriculture.
(336) 303-0466
North Dakota FirstLink 211
The FirstLink 211 Helpline is a simple, easy to remember, free number that connects callers to information about health and human services. 2-1-1 callers in North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota, will be connected to FirstLink 2-1-1 Helpline, which provides confidential listening and support in addition to information and referral. Call specialists are also trained in crisis intervention, including suicide intervention.
(701) 235-7335
North Dakota Mediation Service
A program of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the North Dakota Mediation Service (formerly the North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Service), was established in 1984 to help financially distressed farmers and ranchers through assistance with credit and financial matters and resolving disputes.
(701) 328-4158
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Oklahoma Agricultural Mediation Program
OAMP, Inc. has been helping people in agriculture resolve conflicts since 1987. Since becoming the first USDA-certified mediation provider for the state of Oklahoma, our professional mediators have helped thousands of farmers, ranchers and federal agencies work together to reach realistic, durable solutions to the challenges they face. I know how costly and stressful it is to leave the decision about one’s future in the hands of someone else, as would be the case in court or at a hearing. I am privileged to be part of a program that helps people talk about what really matters so they can reach their own solutions in mediation.
(800) 248-5465
Oregon Agricultural Mediation Program
Mediation is a useful tool to address difficult conflicts by bringing all the parties together, facilitating discussions, allowing meaningful dialogue to occur, and acting as a neutral third party with no decision making authority. If the mediation is successful, the parties negotiate a settlement agreement. Mediation can be a lower-cost and less stressful alternative to the court system.
(503) 986-4558
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Rhode Island Agricultural Mediation Program
Mediation is a useful tool to address difficult conflicts by bringing all the parties together, facilitating discussions, allowing meaningful dialogue to occur, and acting as a neutral third party with no decision making authority. If the mediation is successful, the parties negotiate a settlement agreement. Mediation can be a lower-cost and less stressful alternative to the court system.
(855) 343 0072
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
South Dakota Ag Finance Counseling
Ag Finance Counselors are available to both debtors and creditors involved in mediation. Counselors work closely with all parties to prepare them for mediation; including negotiation and restructuring of loans. They assess the situation while providing resources and options for a favorable outcome for all parties.
This service is provided free of charge to farmers and ranchers in South Dakota that are involved in voluntary or mandatory mediation. This program started in October 1984 and has assisted over 4,600 farmers and ranchers.
All information is strictly confidential.
(605) 280-4745
South Dakota Agricultural Mediation
The Farm Loan Mediation program was established in 1988 by the South Dakota legislature. Mediation helps agricultural creditors and debtors by bringing them together with a neutral person, called a mediator, who assists in resolving their financial disputes in a confidential setting. The goal of mediation is getting the borrower and lender to work together, discuss options and find the best solution for all involved. Mediation can be instrumental in avoiding litigation and resolving disputes.
(605) 280-4745
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Texas Rural Mediation Services
Texas Rural Mediation Services (TRMS) was established to address disputes among and between consumers, peers, businesses, agriculture producers, ranchers, creditors and various USDA agencies. In 2000, Governor George Bush appointed, and in 2004 Governor Perry reaffirmed, the Texas Dispute Resolution System to administer the USDA Mediation Program for Texas.
(866) 329-3522
Utah Agricultural Mediation Program
The Utah Agricultural Medication Program (UAMP) mediates agricultural disputes between farmers and ranchers and USDA throughout the State of Utah. The program is administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and has been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
(801) 538-4976
Vermont Farm First Hotline
Farm First (a 24/7 hotline) provides confidential help with any personal or work-related issue. We know that if left unaddressed, stress correlates with chronic health, safety, family and business problems. Consulting with a Farm First counselor or resource specialist (located statewide) can help you resolve problems before they mushroom into debilitating situations.
(877) 493-6216
The Vermont Agricultural Mediation Program
The Vermont Agricultural Mediation Program (VTAMP) is the official United States Department of Agriculture certified agricultural mediation program for Vermont. VTAMP provides free mediation services to the agricultural community to help resolve disputes before they end up in court.
(802) 583-1100
Virginia Agricultural Mediation Program
Farming and debt often go hand in hand. The need for large investments in land and equipment requires most farmers to carry substantial debt. Sometimes debt load can lead to farm foreclosures, monetary penalties and major lifestyle changes. With these potential consequences, conflict and disputes are inevitable.
Randolph FarmWhen agriculture producers are involved in conflict, the added stress can prevent them from effectively managing their operation, particularly if the dispute concerns a financial issue.
The USDA Certified Virginia Agricultural Mediation Program (VAMP) offers a process to assist agricultural producers and other persons directly affected by the actions of the USDA to resolve disputes, thereby reducing participants’ costs associated with administrative appeals, litigation and bankruptcy.
(804) 524-5470
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Farm Aid Hotline
If you need to talk to someone directly, Farm Aid is here to listen and connect you to helpful resources in your area. You can call the farmer hotline and speak with the Farm Aid Farm Advocate Jennie and other Farm Aid staffers Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time.
(800) FARM-AID / (800) 327-6243
Wisconsin Farm Center Helpline
The Wisconsin Farm Center offers a convenient resource for farmers and their families. Their services include business analysis, technical assistance, farm mediation, information and referrals and personal consultations. This office can also provide information for the Farm Link program, assistance with rural electric and power issues, as well as employment and training assistance. Best way to reach assistance is to call the hotline number listed.
(800) 942-2474
DATCP Farm Mediation
The goal of mediation is to help resolve issues by bridging the conflict gap to encourage communication. Mediation involves a neutral individual who helps facilitate negotiation and understanding between conflicting parties.
(800) 942-2474
Wyoming Department of Agriculture Mediation Program
The Wyoming Agricultural & Natural Resource Mediation Program offers a process to assist Wyoming citizens in resolving their disputes in a way that is voluntary, confidential, low-cost and time-saving.
(888) 996-9278
Drought Response Info
Due to an abnormally hot and dry summer, farmers in the high plains
and upper midwest are facing drought conditions and possible crop failures.
Report conditions in your area to the
National Drought Mitigation Center
USDA Drought Programs
and Assistance