At The Pennsylvania Agricultural Ombudsman Program, they believe in creating connections that allow parties experiencing a conflict to find common ground and work toward better relationships with each other. They serve state-wide as a liason to communities for conflict management on issues affecting agriculture, land use, environment, and planning.

For example, the Program hopes to provide passage over a gap or barrier between

• farmers and non-farm neighbors
• farmers and the municipal officials where they live
• farmers’ understanding of and compliance with the agricultural regulations
• Municipality’s understanding of agricultural regulations and right-to-farm law

The Program works to provide a connection between sometimes seemingly unrelated organizations or entities.  Some examples include:

• the agricultural community and law enforcement and first responders (also known as all-hazards preparedness)
• agriculture and stormwater issues
• municipalities and the PA Department of Agriculture
• linking experts who can address questions or concerns with the person or agency who has the need, on a wide variety of topics

To learn more about the programs they support and articles and techniques on how to handle environmental situations visit their website.