Officials with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture are seeing a significant increase in those requesting farm loan mediation. It’s directly tied to low commodity prices and the state of the farm economy. Farm Loan Mediation Specialist Nina Fromm says they’ve had 19 more requests for help this year verses last year at this time.

She says most of the requests they’ve had involve mandatory mediation.

Fromm says their mediation programs are divided into mandatory and voluntary categories, with each having different requirements.

All mediation involving water drainage, federal lands and oil and gas are voluntary. For more information contact the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.