II. 



POLICY AND PROGRAM OPTIONS 



The Joint Interim Subconunittee on Agricultural 

 Problems studied 10 proposed options for addressing the 

 problems of agriculture in Montana. These options are 

 discussed below, as follows: 



Option #1 



Provide financial counseling, debt mediation, 

 and other assistance to aid financially 

 distressed farmers. 



Explanation 



This option involves establishment of a program to 

 provide direct assistance to farmers and ranchers 

 experiencing financial difficulties. The purpose of the 

 program would be to help the state's producers manage 

 farm credit problems, avoid farm foreclosures, and cope 

 with the stress resulting from farm financial problems. 



Under the program, the state would provide to 

 financially distressed farmers the following types of 

 assistance: financial counseling, farm management 

 training, legal information services, voluntary debt 

 mediation, mental health assistance, support counseling, 

 and referral services. For the purpose of providing 

 such assistance, the state would contract for services 

 with qualified persons, including peer counselors, farm 

 management specialists, mental health professionals, 

 financial analysts, and trained mediators. In addition. 



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