# Agriculture (GAG)

## Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions

### Subtitle 1A. Agricultural Mediation Program

#### Section 1-1A-01

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Agricultural mediation" means a voluntary process in which a mediator helps private parties or government agencies resolve agriculturally related disputes in a confidential and nonadversarial setting.

(c) "Mediator" means an impartial person who is trained to help people find mutually acceptable solutions to shared problems and has no power to impose a solution.

#### Section 1-1A-02

(a) The Secretary may establish a federally certified State agricultural mediation program in the Department.

(b) The purpose of the program is to provide eligible persons and government agencies with a voluntary and low-cost process to settle agriculturally related disputes.

#### Section 1-1A-03

(a) The Secretary may:

  (1) Establish qualifications for a person requesting agricultural mediation services from the Department;

  (2) Establish qualifications for an individual applying to serve as a mediator in the State agricultural mediation program;

  (3) Contract with any qualified individual to provide mediation services for qualified mediation applicants; and

  (4) Receive grants for purposes of defraying the costs of the State agricultural mediation program.

(b) The Secretary may adopt regulations to:

  (1) Meet the requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture for establishing a federally certified State agricultural mediation program; and

  (2) Implement the provisions of this subtitle.

#### Section 1-1A-04

Except for purposes of meeting the reporting requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture for a federally certified State agricultural mediation program, the Department shall maintain the confidentiality of all mediation records.

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Md. Code Ann., Agric. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)