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...
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.
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.”
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.
Latest News
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