Minn. Stat. § 583.20
Citation
Sections 583.20 to 583.32 may be cited as the "Farmer-Lender Mediation Act."
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 583 — Farmer-Lender Mediation
Minnesota · statute · Minn. Stat. ch. 583 · 18 active provisions
Minn. Stat. § 583.21
Legislative Findings
The legislature finds that the agricultural sector of the state's economy is under severe financial stress due to low farm commodity prices, continuing high interest rates, and reduced net farm income. The suffering agricultural economy adversely affects economic conditions for all other businesses in rural communities…
Minn. Stat. § 583.215
Expiration
Sections 336.9-601, subsections (h) and (i); 550.365; 559.209; 582.039; and 583.20 to 583.32, expire June 30, 2027.
Minn. Stat. § 583.22
Definitions
Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 583.22 to 583.32. Subd. 2. Agricultural property. "Agricultural property" means real property that is principally used for farming as defined in section 500.24, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), and raising poultry, and personal property that i…
Minn. Stat. § 583.23
Farm Mediation
Subdivision 1. Training. The director must provide training and support for mediators. Subd. 2. Appointment. The director must provide mediators by contracting with qualified persons experienced in farm finance, agricultural law, and negotiation. Subd. 3. Administration. The director may appoint a farm mediation admini…
Minn. Stat. § 583.24
Applicability
Subdivision 1. Creditors. (a) The Farmer-Lender Mediation Act applies to creditors who are owed debts subject to the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act and are: (1) the United States or an agency of the United States; (2) corporations, partnerships, and other business entities; and (3) individuals. (b) The Farmer-Lender Media…
Minn. Stat. § 583.25
Voluntary Mediation Proceedings
A debtor that owns agricultural property or a creditor of the debtor may request mediation of the indebtedness by a farm mediator by applying to the director. The director shall provide voluntary mediation application forms when requested. The director must evaluate each request and may direct a mediator to meet with t…
Minn. Stat. § 583.26
Mandatory Mediation Proceedings
Subdivision 1. Mediation notice. (a) A creditor desiring to start a proceeding to enforce a debt against agricultural property under chapter 580 or 581 or sections 336.9-601 to 336.9-628, to terminate a contract for deed to purchase agricultural property under section 559.21, or to garnish, levy on, execute on, seize,…
Minn. Stat. § 583.27
Good Faith Required, Court Supervised Mediation
Subdivision 1. Obligation of good faith. (a) The parties must engage in mediation in good faith. Prior to the initial mediation meeting, the director must notify all parties in writing of their obligation to participate in good faith, the consequences of failing to participate in good faith, and that not participating…
Minn. Stat. § 583.28
Creditor Not Attending Mediation Meeting
Subdivision 1. Filing and effect of claim form. A creditor that is notified of the initial mediation meeting is subject to and bound by a mediation agreement if the creditor does not attend mediation meetings unless the creditor files a claim form. In lieu of attending a mediation meeting, a creditor may file a notice…
Minn. Stat. § 583.284
Retention of Purchase Money Security Interest
If a creditor has a purchase money security interest under section 336.9-103, and renegotiates the debt under the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act to reduce the principal balance or the interest rate or to extend the repayment period, the creditor retains the purchase money security interest for the renegotiated debt.
Minn. Stat. § 583.285
Mediation Rules
The commissioner of agriculture, in consultation with the commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services and the director of the University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service, shall make rules under chapter 14, to implement the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act.
Minn. Stat. § 583.29
Private Data
All data regarding the finances of individual debtors and creditors created, collected, and maintained by the mediators or the director are classified as private data on individuals under section 13.02, subdivision 12, or nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9.
Minn. Stat. § 583.30
Forms and Compensation
Subdivision 1. Compensation. The director shall set the compensation of mediators and credit analysts. Subd. 2. Forms. The director shall adopt voluntary mediation application, mediation request, and claim forms.
Minn. Stat. § 583.305
Prohibited Waivers
A waiver of mediation rights under the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act is void except as expressly allowed under the Farmer-Lender Mediation Act.
Minn. Stat. § 583.31
Enforcement
The mediation agreement must be enforced by the district court.
Minn. Stat. § 583.311
Voluntary Alternative Dispute Resolution
The administrator shall establish procedures and measures to ensure maximum use of alternative dispute resolution under this chapter for disputes in rural areas. Referrals may be accepted from courts, state agencies, local units of government, or any party to a dispute involving rural land, regulation, rural individual…
Minn. Stat. § 583.32
Inconsistent Laws
The Farmer-Lender Mediation Act has precedence over any inconsistent or conflicting laws and statutes including chapters 336, 580, and 581, and section 559.21.