Topeka (WIBW) - Programs designed to help farms settle disagreements with lenders and governments would continue under a measure introduced by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas.

Roberts introduced legislation to continue the Certified State Agriculture Mediation Program for five years.

"The mediation programs at the Department of Agriculture go a long way in helping our farmers and ranchers seek confidential advice and counsel to address loan problems and disputes before they grow to be too much for the producer too handle," Roberts said in a statement.

Mediation provides a neutral, confidential forum to discuss complex issues and build strong working relationships with producers, their lenders and government agencies. The programs address issues in a confidential and non-adversarial setting outside the traditional legal process of foreclosure, bankruptcy, appeals and litigation.

The programs has 35 states participating.

Senator Roberts is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.