Farmer Lender Mediation Program Sees Increased Cases in 2025

Minnesota’s Farmer Lender Mediation Program is seeing a significant uptick in cases this year as farmers grapple with increasing economic uncertainty. Program Director Mary Nell Preisler shared that the number of cases is already ahead of last year’s by around 100. “We’re ahead already of the six-month report as of the first of this month,” Preisler said. She noted that much of the increase is due to farmers’ nervousness about the economy and tariffs, leaving many unsure whether to sell grain at a loss or hold out for a better price. Preisler also compared the current economic environment to some of the toughest times in agricultural history. “We’re back to almost an atmosphere of the mid-80s, where we had the high interest rates.”