American Farmers Sue USDA for Deletion of Climate Data from Government Websites

Organic farmers and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for removing climate change-related data, websites, and resources from its online platforms. The plaintiffs argue that this action hinders farmers' ability to plan and adapt to climate change, disrupts research efforts, and violates federal laws related to government transparency and agency action. The suit alleges that the USDA's actions were arbitrary, capricious, and politically motivated, and seeks to compel the agency to restore the deleted information.

Key Themes and Ideas:

1. Deletion of Climate Data and Resources:

• The USDA, allegedly under the directive of Director of Digital Communications Peter Rhee, ordered staff to remove climate change-focused webpages, data sets, interactive tools, and funding information from its websites. The directive was issued on January 30, 2025.
• The lawsuit claims that the department “acted swiftly to purge department websites of climate-change-focused webpages,” (Washington Post) leading to confusion and inaccessibility of resources for farmers and the public.
• Examples cited include the removal of a Farm Service Agency webpage detailing how to apply for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Farm Loan Programs, and the Forest Service's deletion of an interactive map showing climate change vulnerability assessments.
• The data was deemed by the plaintiffs to be useful to farmers for business planning. The lawsuit said that the department was hindering farmers from using the data to make “agricultural decisions” (Washington Post).

1. Impact on Farmers and Researchers:

• The deleted information is considered crucial for farmers facing climate change-related risks such as "heat waves, droughts, floods, extreme weather and wildfires" (New York Times).
• The data removal makes it harder for climate researchers and advocates to do their jobs.
• Wes Gillingham, president of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, stated, "Right now, because of climate change and because of what farmers are facing in terms of extreme weather events, we need every piece of available information we can get. We don’t have access to that, we’re not going to make it" (New York Times).

1. Legal Arguments and Violations Alleged:

• The plaintiffs allege violations of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
• The lawsuit claims that the USDA’s actions were "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law" (New York Times).
• The suit seeks a court order to declare the USDA's actions unlawful, compel the restoration of the deleted webpages, and prevent further deletions.

1. Political Context and Motivations:

• The lawsuit suggests the data removal is "part of a trend" under the Trump administration to dismantle climate protections and reverse federal policies aimed at fighting and measuring climate change (Washington Post).
• The timing of the data deletion coincided with a freeze on funding promised by the USDA under climate and conservation programs, which had been set in motion by the Trump administration.
• Gillingham states that "taking information down because of a 'political agenda about climate change' was senseless" (New York Times).