Farmers Sue USDA Over Removal of Climate Data from Website

Farmers and environmental advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after the agency removed numerous climate change-related tools, data sets, and services from its website.

The lawsuit, led by the nonprofit Earthjustice, claims the removal of vital resources was unlawful and harmful to farmers across the country.

Wes Gillingham, a New York farmer, a founder of Catskill Mountainkeeper, and board president of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York is among the plaintiffs.

Gillingham told Radio Catskill about the impact this purge of climate information is having on farmers adapting to climate impacts such as drought, floods, and changes in growing seasons.

Image: Wes Gillingham, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) board president, says “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.” (Credit: Gael Roots Community Farm)