PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota Department of Agricultures Farm Loan Mediation program normally sees up to 250 requests for their services during the year. Mediation program director (tay-uh) Taya Runyon says requests for mediation services this year have been slightly higher than in the past.

She says most of the requests for mediation services happens during a four month period toward the end of the year through the early part of the next year.

Runyon says they have two types of mediation, one is mandatory and the other voluntary.

Runyon says it’s important those needing mediation should keep the lines of communication open with their creditor and communicate as early as possible to avoid any problems down the road.