Why U.S. Farmers Are Furious with Trump Over Climate Change Policies

USDA’s Data Deletion Sparks Lawsuits and Outrage

American farmers, already battling the harsh realities of climate change, are now up in arms against the Trump administration due to its recent agricultural policy shifts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has removed critical climate change data from its website without warning, prompting lawsuits from farmers and environmental groups who argue this move violates federal laws and jeopardizes their livelihoods. With the administration also freezing funding for climate-smart agriculture programs and slashing support for international aid initiatives, farmers face compounding challenges that threaten their ability to adapt to worsening weather patterns and sustain their operations. This detailed exploration dives into the reasons behind their anger, the legal battles unfolding, and the broader implications for U.S. agriculture in an era of escalating climate crises.

The uproar began when the USDA quietly scrubbed climate change-related resources from its online platforms, an action farmers say blinds them to vital information needed for planning crops and securing financial assistance. On February 24, 2025, groups like the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Environmental Working Group filed a lawsuit against the USDA in the Southern District of New York’s federal court. They accuse the agency of breaching the Freedom of Information Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act by deleting data without prior notice. The plaintiffs argue that this erasure harms farmers who rely on these resources to navigate droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather events, while also hindering climate researchers and advocates working to protect the nation’s food supply. For instance, the USDA eliminated webpages guiding farmers on applying for climate-smart agriculture grants and loans, as well as an interactive map from the Forest Service that detailed climate vulnerability assessments, leaving growers without tools to assess risks like intensified wildfires or shifting growing seasons.

This data purge aligns with broader policy reversals under Trump’s leadership, amplifying farmers’ frustrations. The administration has halted funding for programs designed to promote sustainable farming practices, a move that compounds the financial strain on rural communities already reeling from unpredictable weather. Previously promised support, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which helped farmers address soil erosion and water conservation, now sits frozen, forcing many to abandon planned projects or dip into personal savings. The timing couldn’t be worse, as climate change intensifies heatwaves, floods, and prolonged droughts, all of which demand proactive adaptation strategies. Farmers argue that the USDA should be bolstering their resilience against these threats, not stripping away resources that enable informed decision-making about planting schedules, irrigation needs, and crop storage.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Trump administration’s decision to gut funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has sparked additional alarm. USAID historically purchased grains like wheat, soybeans, sorghum, and peas from American farmers, shipping them to over 100 countries as part of humanitarian aid efforts. U.S. growers supplied roughly 40 percent of this international food assistance, making it a critical market lifeline. However, with Elon Musk, a close Trump ally and head of the Department of Government Efficiency, pushing to dismantle USAID through massive layoffs and budget cuts, farmers fear losing this outlet entirely. In Kansas, sorghum producers are already voicing concerns about a shrinking market, with outlets like the Topeka Capital Journal reporting growing unease over the economic ripple effects. The loss of USAID contracts could flood domestic markets with unsold crops, driving down prices and squeezing profits at a time when operational costs are soaring due to climate-related disruptions.

The stakes are high because climate data isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity for modern agriculture. Rising temperatures and erratic precipitation patterns demand precise insights into when to sow seeds, how to manage water resources, and what crops can withstand shifting conditions. The USDA’s climate hubs, now dismantled online, once offered region-specific guidance that helped farmers in the Midwest brace for flooding or those in the West prepare for wildfires. Without this information, growers are left guessing, a risky proposition when a single misstep can wipe out an entire season’s yield. Environmental advocates, like Earthjustice attorney Jeffrey Stein, frame the USDA’s actions as part of a broader Trump agenda to dismantle climate protections, arguing that it undermines not just farming but the public’s right to understand and address environmental threats. This sentiment resonates with farmers who feel abandoned by an administration they once supported, especially as federal layoffs at agencies like the USDA create staffing shortages that further delay critical services.

Beyond data and funding cuts, the administration’s moves signal a stark departure from earlier commitments to sustainable agriculture. During the Biden era, the USDA pledged billions through the Inflation Reduction Act to support eco-friendly farming innovations, a lifeline now severed. For example, rural energy programs that funded solar panels or energy-efficient equipment for farms have been axed, leaving growers to shoulder the full cost of upgrades amid rising fuel prices. This financial squeeze comes as the government efficiency push, led by Musk, slashes thousands of federal jobs, raising fears of bureaucratic gridlock that could delay disaster relief or loan processing when farmers need it most. Critics argue this reflects a deliberate effort to prioritize short-term cost-cutting over long-term agricultural stability, a gamble that could backfire as climate change accelerates.

The legal fight now unfolding in New York’s federal court could set a precedent for how government agencies handle climate data moving forward. Farmers and their allies are demanding the restoration of deleted resources and transparency about future changes, warning that continued suppression will erode trust in the USDA and weaken America’s food security. The lawsuit highlights specific losses, like the removal of Forest Service tools that tracked wildfire risks, a pressing issue as blazes grow more frequent and severe. For organic farmers in the Northeast, who depend on detailed climate projections to maintain soil health without synthetic inputs, the stakes are existential. They contend that without federal support, their ability to adapt to a warming planet is crippled, potentially driving smaller operations out of business and consolidating power in the hands of industrial agribusinesses better equipped to weather the storm.

As of March 1, 2025, the clash between U.S. farmers and the Trump administration shows no signs of abating. The convergence of data deletion, funding freezes, and USAID’s decline has created a perfect storm for rural America, where climate change is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality. Farmers who once saw Trump as a champion of their interests now feel betrayed by policies that seem to prioritize ideological goals over practical support. The outcome of this struggle, both in the courts and in the fields, will shape the future of American agriculture, determining whether it can withstand the dual pressures of environmental upheaval and governmental neglect. For now, growers are left to fend for themselves, armed with less information and fewer resources in a battle against an increasingly hostile climate.