Okla. Stat. tit. 2, § 2-2-30

awareness of Agriculture Mediation Program.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 2. Agriculture Page 64

A. The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program under the

direction of the Agriculture Mediation Board as established by

subsection D of this section, is authorized to provide mediation

services to all individuals, businesses, and state and federal

agencies that are engaged in production agriculture, and

agriculturally- or environmentally-related activities. The Oklahoma

Agriculture Mediation Program shall operate in accord with the

Agriculture Credit Act of 1987, as amended, 7 CFR 785, and

applicable state and federal laws.

B. The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program shall be formed

as an independent entity. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture,

Food, and Forestry shall provide office space for the Oklahoma

Agriculture Mediation Program. The Oklahoma Department of

Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, in cooperation with appropriate

entities such as the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, is

authorized to develop and implement a plan to increase public

awareness of the Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program. The plan

shall be designed to provide information about the program to

producers, agriculture lenders, and others which may have reason to

utilize the services. The plan may include but not be limited to

the following:

1. Providing informational literature to every county extension

office in the state;

2. Providing information about the program to agricultural

lenders in this state by any feasible means, including but not

limited to electronic media;

3. Securing such public service announcements from broadcast

media as is feasible;

4. Cooperating with and providing information to court

officials; and

5. Such other measures as may be calculated to develop a

greater awareness of the existence and benefits of the Oklahoma

Agriculture Mediation Program.

C. The program is primarily funded by a grant from the United

States Department of Agriculture and may provide mediation free of

charge to the participants. The State Department of Agriculture,

Food, and Forestry, pursuant to the grant recertification provisions

at 7 CFR 785 and this section, may provide contributions or

allocations in support of the Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation

Program, as available. The program may seek supporting

contributions from other stakeholders in support of its operations.

D. The Oklahoma Agriculture Mediation Program shall establish

and maintain an Agriculture Mediation Board whose members are

engaged in or serving agriculture. The Board shall be comprised of

a five-person Executive Committee and a fifteen-member Advisory

Committee. The five-person Executive Committee shall be comprised

of one designee each from the two largest general farm organizations

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 2. Agriculture Page 65

of this state, one designee from the largest farm commodity group of

this state, one designee appointed by the Chair of the Senate

Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, and one designee

appointed by the Chair of the House of Representatives Agriculture

and Rural Development Committee. The Advisory Committee shall only

be advisory in capacity and comprised of members drawn from the

following categories and appointed by the Executive Committee:

1. Each of the United States Department of Agriculture

agencies;

2. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry;

3. The Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension,

including IFMAPS;

4. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission;

5. An Oklahoma attorney;

6. Two Oklahoma farmers or ranchers;

7. A representative from an agriculture banking institution;

8. A representative from the Oklahoma Conference of Churches;

9. A mediator from the federal, state or private sector; and

10. Such other members from public entities or private

organizations as may be needed.

E. The Agriculture Mediation Board shall adopt such procedures
An Oklahoma attorney;

6. Two Oklahoma farmers or ranchers;

7. A representative from an agriculture banking institution;

8. A representative from the Oklahoma Conference of Churches;

9. A mediator from the federal, state or private sector; and

10. Such other members from public entities or private

organizations as may be needed.

E. The Agriculture Mediation Board shall adopt such procedures

as may be necessary for the management of the program.

F. The program will maintain a roster of qualified mediators to

assist in servicing requests for mediation.

G. Mediation communications and mediation sessions under this

section shall be confidential pursuant to the Administrative Dispute

Resolution Act, 5 U.S.C. 574, and this section.