Do you need help resolving an issue on your farm?
Ohio Farm Resolution Services (OFRS) might be the solution for you. OFRS is Ohio's Certified Agricultural Mediation Program, and our goal is to cultivate solutions to the issues and conflicts that impact Ohio's farms and farm families. Whether navigating challenges within your farm business or family, or facing a conflict with a government agency, private business, or neighbor, OFRS can help resolve the situation through education, consultation, or formal mediation.
How OFRS can support you
Our staff and team of mediators are here to listen and share knowledge. With our support, you can gain fresh perspectives, explore ideas, and find your way ahead. We provide most services at no cost and maintain confidentiality for all services.
OFRS can address a wide range of farm-related issues, such as:
- Farm estate and transition planning needs
- Farm business operations and management challenges
- Lease negotiations and enforcement
- Land use and farmer-neighbor disputes
- Compliance with federal farm programs and conservation programs
- Agricultural loan and financing issues
Services we provide
The issues and needs of farms and farm families are not all the same. Sometimes education can fulfill a family's need, while other situations might require one-on-one consultation or a more formal mediation process. That's why we provide three different types of services through OFRS:
1. Education
Knowledge is the first strategy for resolving or avoiding a conflict. Our team of attorneys and farm management specialists can share knowledge and educational resources that enable individuals to better understand laws, communication dynamics, and strategies and skills for resolving conflicts.
2. Consultation
Coaching and consultation can build understanding and help you apply information to your farm's specific needs. Our consultation services include one-on-one meetings with our agricultural law and farm management experts.
3. Mediation
Through formal mediation, a neutral mediator helps parties in a conflict reach a mutually agreeable solution. When formal mediation is necessary to resolve an issue, our trained mediators can provide or arrange for formal mediation services, at no cost or a reduced cost to the parties.
Our team
With funding from Ohio State University Extension and the USDA Farm Service Agency Certified Agricultural Mediation Program, OFRS supports a team of OSU Extension legal and farm management specialists and mediators. Our program staff includes:
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Peggy Kirk Hall, Program Manager and Mediator. Peggy is an attorney and also directs the OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program. Her areas of expertise include farm-neighbor, land use, environmental, and leasing issues. |
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Jeff Lewis, Operations Director and Mediator. Jeff is an attorney and oversees the provision of mediation services. He is a Qualifed Mediator whose expertise includes loans and finance and farm business operation needs, with a focus on employment and tax issues. |
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Ellen Essman, Education Director and Mediator. Ellen is an attorney and manages our educational resources and OFRS trainings on mediation of farm conflicts. Her areas of expertise are government relations, land use, and environment. |
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Robert Moore, Lead Mediator. Robert is an attorney and a Qualified Mediator. Previously in private practice for 17 years, Robert's expertise lies in farm estate and transition planning and farm business operations and management. |
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David Marrison, Lead Mediator. David is a farm management specialist and a Qualified Mediator. His areas of expertise include family communication, farm transition planning, and business operations and management. |
Contact us
To learn how we can help you resolve your need, contact us at ofrsmediation@osu.edu.
