ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – The Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD) recently joined the USDA’s Certified Agricultural Mediation Program, making certified mediation services available to Kentucky farm families for the first time, officials said.

Kentucky had previously been among the few states without a USDA-certified agricultural mediation center, officials added. Through this USDA program funding, KCARD can offer a variety of mediation and related services designed to help farm families resolve challenges, improve communication, and long-term planning at no cost.

Brent Lackey, KCARD executive director, said this certification reflects KCARD’s commitment to meeting the needs of Kentucky agriculture, and strengthening support where it matters most: “At KCARD, we continuously evolve our services to support Kentucky farm families where they need it most. This program represents our commitment to helping producers navigate the future with confidence, and strengthen the long-term vitality of Kentucky agriculture.”

According to KCARD, agricultural mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that brings involved parties together with a neutral third party. The goal is to foster productive communication, explore possible solutions, and reach mutually beneficial agreements. While mediation can support parties in reaching an agreement, it does not replace legal counsel, and mediators cannot provide legal advice or draft legal documents, the center added.

Under program guidelines, certified agricultural mediation services are available for a wide range of issues, including agricultural loans, whether made or guaranteed by the USDA, or issued by a third party, and family farm transition and succession planning, officials said.

Spencer Guinn, KCARD senior business development specialist, told Farm World KCARD has been serving Kentucky farmers for more than 25 years: “Our focus continues to be meeting farmers where they are to help them start, develop, and expand their agricultural businesses, using our one-on-one approach to business planning and financial management.”

In recent years, he said, KCARD has made a focused effort to support beginning farmers, serving as mentors for the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corp. Beginning Farmer Loan Program: “Many loan participants also utilize funding options through the Farm Service Agency, paired with KAFC programs.”

He said KCARD began looking for additional ways to serve this group of producers and found that Kentucky did not have a USDA Certified Agricultural Mediation Program: “This program gave KCARD the opportunity to serve two needs in Kentucky: providing certified mediation for USDA programs and loans, and offering succession planning services to Kentucky producers. KCARD was able to leverage funding from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board as a match and received support from the Governor’s Office to apply as the state’s Certified Agricultural Mediation Center,” he added.

He said KCARD has worked with USDA program and loan staff to roll out the Kentucky Agricultural Mediation Program in early 2026: “Mediation services will be offered for agricultural loans (USDA and other third parties) and USDA programs, including producers who receive adverse decision letters related to applications, current projects, or loans.”  

He said the Kentucky Agricultural Mediation Program will also be available for families who have disputes over farmland transition: “The Kentucky Agricultural Mediation Program will be available to individuals who wish to have further conversation about decisions made on their projects or loans, provided services are requested within the appropriate timeline.

“KCARD also launched the Kentucky AgriLegacy Solutions Program (KASP) in December 2025, offering Kentucky producers succession planning services to help transition their farm operations from one generation to the next,” he added.

For more information about agricultural mediation, contact KCARD at (859) 417-2592, or e-mail: KASP@kcard.info.