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neutral mediator helps participants who are involved in a dispute discuss their disagreements, identify options that might resolve the problem, and agree on solutions. Mediators do not give legal advice and do not determine who is right or wrong. A mediator is not a judge, and has no authority to decide the outcome. Agreements are reached based on what the participants themselves can mutually agree to do. USDA agencies offer mediation to anyone who has received an adverse decision as part of the informal appeals process, in an attempt to resolve the problem early and in the most effective way. hat are the benefits of mediation? Mediation may settle disputes within a participant’s financial means, providing a low-cost alternative to appeals or to often expensive litigation and bankruptcy. Mediation helps reduce the stress caused by lengthy litigation and unresolved conflict. Even where mediation does not result in an agreement, it often results in a better understanding of how the agency decision was reached, and preserves good working relationships between the participants.

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hat’s new at OAMP? OAMP is managed by Andrea Braeutigam, J.D., LL.M., an attorney-mediator with specialized training and practice experience in mediation. OAMP staff will guide you through the mediation process and answer any questions you have about whether mediation is a good option for resolving your dispute. Recently relocated to the Seretean Wellness Center on OSU’s Stillwater campus, OAMP has access to other free services for Oklahomans: • Intensive Financial Management and Planning Support (IFMAPS) provides specially trained financial specialists to work one-on-one with Oklahoma farm and ranch families in developing sound financial plans. IFMAPS specialists provide individual financial management and planning assistance throughout the state. If your dispute involves financial issues, OAMP may suggest IFMAPS financial counseling to assist you in understanding the issues and identifying solutions. • Oklahoma ABLE Tech provides technical assistance to all persons of all ages in acquiring assistive devices. The purpose of

ABLE Tech is to make assistive technology (AT) devices and services more available and accessible to individuals with disabilities and their families. ABLE Tech accomplishes this purpose by providing AT through a short term equipment loan program, AT demonstration centers, re-utilization of AT through the Oklahoma Equipment Connection and a low interest bank loan for AT. • Oklahoma AgrAbility assists people with diseases, disabilities or disorders employed in agriculture. The AgrAbility program is

designed to promote independence in production agricultural and rural living. AgrAbility provides professional training, onthe-farm assessment, technical assistance, information dissemination, and referral to other service providers. On-the-farm technical assistance is coordinated by Oklahoma ABLE Tech. If you or someone you know would benefit from mediation or a referral to any of these resources for Oklahoma farm and ranch families, call OAMP at 1-800-248-5465.

CRAIG COUNTY MEMBER HEADS ANGUS ASSOCIATION

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20 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2007

raig County Farm Bureau member Jot Hartley of Vinita, who is seated in the center of the front row, recently was selected as president of the American Angus Association. Delegates to the 123rd annual convention of the American Angus Association in Louisville, Ky., picked Hartley as their president. Hartley and his wife, Renee, own and operate Spur Ranch at Vinita along with their sons. The operation started by Jot’s grandfather has been in the family since the 1930s, and his dad introduced Angus to the herd in the 1950s. Spur Ranch, a diversified cattle operation consisting of both

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purebred and commercial Angus cows and stocker cattle, hosts a production sale each fall. Hartley is a former director and past president of the Oklahoma Angus Association and a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. He is also a former director and president of Oklahoma Beef Incorporated, a highly successful, producer owned bull test station. Hartley holds a degree in finance from Oklahoma State University and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is a licensed attorney, admitted to practice in several state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.


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