USDA Sued for Removing Critical Climate Webpages — What This Means for Farmers and Our Food System
In a shocking move that threatens farmers’ access to vital resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been sued for scrubbing its website of critical information related to climate change and conservation. Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
The lawsuit seeks to restore access to climate-focused webpages and stop the USDA from removing more essential content without public input or legal justification. These now-missing resources included information about climate-smart farming, federal loans, and billions of dollars in conservation funding that help farmers weather extreme events like droughts and floods.
Why This Matters
Farmers are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. More frequent and intense weather events — from wildfires to floods — are not just headlines; they’re a daily reality affecting crops, livestock, livelihoods, and food prices. USDA’s resources previously helped farmers make informed decisions about adopting resilient practices and tapping into funding designed to safeguard their operations.
“USDA should be working to protect our food system from droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather, not denying the public access to critical resources,” said Jeffrey Stein, associate attorney with Earthjustice.
The lawsuit argues that the USDA’s website purge violates three federal laws:
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): Guarantees public access to government documents.
Paperwork Reduction Act: Requires public notice before significant information changes.
Administrative Procedure Act: Prevents arbitrary and capricious government action.
Real Harm to Real People
Entire sections on climate resilience were removed from the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service sites — including tools like the Climate Risk Viewer and guidance on emissions reduction. Without these tools, farmers lose access to information that could increase their profitability and sustainability.
Wes Gillingham, NOFA-NY board president, put it plainly:
“Taking climate change information off websites, freezing funds, and laying off USDA workers that are helping to protect communities is ludicrous. The removal of vital information for family farms is the real hoax being played on America.”
The Bigger Picture
This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern. Since January 20, the Trump administration has reportedly removed over 8,000 webpages across more than a dozen federal agencies — including resources on public health, environmental justice, disaster preparedness, and foreign aid. This isn't just about transparency; it’s about power, priorities, and who gets left behind.
“This isn’t just about transparency — it’s about holding those in power accountable for undermining the very information that helps protect the livelihoods of food producers, the food system, and our future,” said Anne Schechinger, Midwest director at EWG.
What Happens Next
The lawsuit aims to force the USDA to reinstate the removed content and follow the law when managing access to public information. The outcome will not only affect how the USDA operates but could set a precedent for how federal agencies handle public access to data in the future.
“Members of the public have a right to know how the department is implementing its priorities and administering its programs,” said Stephanie Krent, attorney at the Knight First Amendment Institute.
As climate pressures increase and food security becomes more precarious, accessible, science-based information is not optional — it’s essential. This case is a stark reminder of how much is at stake when information disappears.
Source Earthjustice
