Taking the emotion out of farming feuds

Farming families can leave important issues undiscussed until a crisis arises, which can often lead to adversarial positions and damaging consequences, writes Siún Kearney

The mediator does not advise — his or her role is to facilitate the views of all participants being heard, helping them to discuss and consider all their options before making future decisions on a specific issue.

Hardly a week goes by without the mention of mediation in the news media. 

It is being used successfully in family, workplace, commercial, and community disputes. But is it a chosen option for farming families facing disputes involving issues around boundaries, succession, inheritance, family, and intergenerational issues?