Mediation Training
The Maine Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) offers mediation training throughout the year. Specific training for mediators interested in helping USDA producers with mediation is held on a regular basis.
Two upcoming training opportunity offerings include:
2025 16-Hour Agricultural Mediation Training
This 16-hour training will introduce participants to the range of topics covered by MAMP no cost & confidential services, with a special focus on our agricultural mediation/ conflict resolution program. The training includes multiple guest speakers representing various agricultural service providers as well as federal, regional, and state organizations that MAMP regularly collaborates with. Participants will also have opportunities to practice and review case studies around the types of conflicts and issues that arise within Maine’s agricultural and aquacultural communities.
“So many nuggets of wisdom!”
~ 2024 16-Hour Agricultural Mediation Training Participant
Who: Anyone interested in learning more about conflict resolution and resources in agriculture and/or becoming a Maine Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) co-mediator* (i.e. new and experienced mediators, land and sea farmers, agricultural service providers, and members of the general public)
What: MAMP 16-hour Agricultural Mediation Training
When: April and May 2025
Session Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session #1: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (via Zoom)
Session #2: Thursday, April 17, 2025 (via Zoom)
Session #3: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 17th (via Zoom)
Session #4: Tuesday, May 1, 2025 (In person @ Augusta, locale TBD and Via Zoom)
Cost: $0, There is no cost to attend. This training is generously funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Maine Agricultural Mediation Program.
*Please note: MAMP offers mediators the opportunity to co-mediate a wide range of goals, issues, and needs on land & sea farms and/or involving producers, loan holders, and members of the agricultural community. Completion of MAMP’s 16-hour Ag Mediation Training and a 40-hour basic mediation training (or equivalent) is required to apply to be a MAMP Co-mediator.
Registration Deadline:
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
“Wow, so many growth points! I also learned much from other classmates and their experiences and viewpoints.”
~2024 16-Hour Agricultural Mediation Training Participant
Presenters:
Multiple presenters will share their work and how it intersects with the work of MAMP. Over the four (4) sessions participants will learn from ag service providers from the USDA, FSA, Land for Good, MOFGA, UMaine Cooperative Extension’s Farm Wellness & Coaching Program, and more.
The sessions will be facilitated by Lucy Wess, Shiela Leonard, and Leslie Forstadt from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the MAMP. Additionally, Karen Groat, UMA Libra Professor, and mediation professional will also provide guidance and instruction during the training.
Information/Waitlist:
For more information contact us at maineagmediation@maine.edu or click here to get on the waitlist for the next MAMP training (TBD).
2025 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
MAMP invites land and sea farms, agricultural workers, agricultural service providers, and members of the general public interested in becoming mediators, looking to enhance conflict resolution/management skills or learn how to assist others in resolving their conflict-related issues to apply for our upcoming training. We’re offering a 5-day hands-on, highly interactive practical training in Bangor, Maine (see below for details). This training is designed as a “low barrier” offering with a focus on welcoming a diverse class of trainees – including but not limited to those in traditionally underserved communities such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, refugee/ asylum seekers as well as bi-lingual language speakers.
This comprehensive training will include: demonstrations, discussions, exercises, videos, and role-play practice with mediation scenarios, in addition to mini-lectures. The sessions will focus on both the facilitative and transformative orientation models. Co-Instructors, Karen Groat & Leah Boyd (see bios below), will lead the training sessions and guest mediator coaches will provide additional support, guidance, and experience to participants.
Trainees will learn:
- Conflict theory and stress response
- Theories and practice of mediation – both facilitative and transformative models
- Screening for mediation appropriateness
- Ways to build and enhance participant rapport
- Effective interventions and practice
- The impact of mediator influence and bias
- Standards of mediator practice and ethics
- The professional limitations of mediation practice
Learn new skills, understand how to apply them to your life and to a mediation practice by taking this training. Past participants report an amazing shift in the way they talk, listen and problem solve — at work and in their family life. At the conclusion of the training, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion, a commonly accepted state and national standard. Participants are expected to attend and actively engage in all training sessions to receive the certificate of completion.
“I loved this training! It has been a highlight of the winter. It was all so though provoking to reflect on communication, bias and listening skills…I like to think of mediation as a new skill that needs to be developed.”
~ 2024 40-Hour Basic Mediation Participant
Who: 16 seats available for land & sea farmers and agricultural workers, agricultural service providers, and members of the general public
What: MAMP 40-hour Basic Mediation Training, Winter ’25
When: March 2025
Session Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (one hour for lunch)
Session #1: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Session #2: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Session #3: Friday, March 7, 2025
Session #4: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Session #5: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Where: UMaine Extension Penobscot County Office, 307 Maine Avenue, Bangor, Maine
Cost:
- Land & Sea Farmers and Agricultural Workers: Training cost is $0; MAMP will cover the cost of training + housing for those located 40 miles outside of Bangor. Land & Sea Farmers & Agricultural Workers are responsible for their meals and transportation.
- Agricultural Service Providers: Training cost is $600 per trainee* Ag Service Providers are responsible for their housing, meals, and transportation; MAMP will provide trainees with housing information i.e. room blocks at local hotels as available.
*Understanding that professional development/education funds may vary from organization to organization, we have available some partial training scholarships and/or housing subsidies for providers who are located 40 miles outside of Bangor. Scholarships/ subsidies will be considered upon request on a case-by-case basis.
- Members of the General Public: Training cost is $1,250 per trainee. General public trainees are responsible for their housing, meals, and transportation; MAMP will provide trainees with housing information i.e. room blocks at local hotels as available.
This training is financially supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Maine Agricultural Mediation Program.
Additional Info:
- Pre-work and between-session assignments, readings, and/or video resources will be shared with trainees via e-mail.
- In the event of inclement weather, MAMP will notify trainees via e-mail and provide Zoom information for training sessions that will be conducted online.
- The training location has a full kitchen with a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, coffee maker, etc. trainees are encouraged to bring their lunch, drinks, etc. MAMP will provide snacks, coffee, and tea throughout the training.
- Participants are expected to attend and actively engage in all training sessions to receive a 40-hour basic meditation training certificate.
Registration Deadline:
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m.
Questions:
For more information contact us at maineagmediation@maine.edu or click here to get on the waitlist for the next MAMP training (TBD).
Additional Info:
The training location has a full kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, etc. for those who would like to bring their lunch, drinks, etc. MAMP will provide snacks and water throughout the training. Participants are expected to attend all training sessions to receive a certificate. In the event of inclement weather, MAMP will notify participants via e-mail, provide Zoom information and training sessions will be conducted online.
Questions:
Please e-mail Shiela Leonard at maineagmediation@maine.edu or call Lucy Wess at 207.974.9637 for more information.
Meet Our Co-Instructors
Karen Groat is Libra Professor of Mediation at the University of Maine Augusta Justice Studies and has over 20 years of mediation, consulting, and teaching experience in Maine. As former director of the Opportunity Alliance Family Mediation program and co-establishing the Family and Community Mediation (FCM), she has worked extensively with mediators, adults and youth, communities, and organizations specializing in complex family matters, multi-party disputes and workplace conflict in more than 3800 mediations. An experienced Transformative Mediation trainer and communication coach, Karen combines research from neuroscience and trauma-informed care in her relational practice. In 2018, she expanded work in collaboration with University of Maine Cooperative Extension for farmer and farm worker well-being. This work includes Farm Coaching (receiving the 2021 ERME Outstanding Project Award), agricultural mediation (MAMP), and offering peer support and training to service providers in Northeast ag and rural communities.
Leah Boyd is a mediator, facilitator and certified trainer with the Center for Nonviolent Communication. She is co-owner of Clarity Services, LLC offering communication-related services to a variety of organizations, families, communities and individuals. Leah began mediating in 2010 and has served on numerous rosters including Maine District Court and Department of Education.
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Karen and Leah will be joined by other professionals in the mediation field with experience in a variety of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Restorative Practices.
This training is hosted by the Maine Agricultural Mediation Program (MAMP) a University of Maine Cooperative Extension program which is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). MAMP is a proud member of the Maine Farmer Resource Network (MFRN) & Coalition of Agricultural Mediation Programs (CAMP)
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Shiela Leonard at maineagmediation@maine.edu, to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 7 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however, all requests will be considered.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5703 Alumni Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).