The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reversed course and agreed to restore content related to climate, conservation, and farm support tools that had previously been removed from its public websites. Many argued that this purge of information had hurt communities across the country by depriving farmers and researchers of the resources they need to make time-sensitive decisions and participate in highly consequential debates about USDA funding and policies related to climate change.

The reversal comes after a lawsuit filed by advocacy organizations Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute, in which they alleged the USDA unlawfully took down materials that helped farmers access conservation programs, prepare for changing weather patterns, and navigate federal support options. Many of the resources were tied to long-standing programs under the Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Forest Service, including interactive tools and planning guides.

The removal effort came soon after President Donald Trump took office in January, when internal emails obtained by ABC News showed that USDA web managers were instructed to categorize and unpublish pages referencing climate change. Sites were sorted by how prominently they discussed the topic, with “Tier 1” pages — those fully focused on climate — targeted most aggressively by the administration. Other pages were marked Tier 2 and Tier 3.

It wasn’t long before entire sections were erased from both the NRCS and USFS websites, along with tools like the Climate Risk Viewer — an interactive portal with over 140 data layers designed to help users assess environmental risks and trends.

The USDA made its decision Monday evening, just days before an injunction motion was set to be heard in federal court. Groups involved in the lawsuit, including the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Environmental Working Group were quick to claim victory.

“The restoration of these webpages and tools marks a significant victory for the climate, the environment and farmers,” said Anne Schechinger, Midwest director for the Environmental Working Group. “The Trump administration’s reversal in response to this legal challenge highlights the critical importance of public interest advocates standing up in the name of transparency and government accountability.”

While agriculture accounts for roughly 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions — making it the smallest contributor among the Environmental Protection Agency’s five main sectors — rural producers have increasingly found themselves at the center of climate policy debates. With rising weather volatility, from floods and wildfires to prolonged drought, farmers across the political spectrum are calling for science-based support, not political theater.

The USDA filed notice in federal court that it would comply with federal transparency laws in the future. The agency expects the restoration process to be largely complete within two weeks.

Performance Food Group Company has opened a new facility in West Salem, Wisconsin — a $32 million investment that they say will significantly enhances the company’s regional meat processing capabilities.

The new Grand Western Upper Midwest facility replaces the former La Crosse Meat Plant and stands as a modern, 60,000-square-foot operation designed to streamline production and bolster distribution across the region.

“This new facility is a game-changer for our operations and customers,” said Tyler Zimmerman, General Manager of Grand Western Upper Midwest. “The increased capacity and advanced automation allow us to deliver the high-quality products our customers expect—more efficiently than ever before.”

The expansion triples the production capacity of the previous site and incorporates advanced automation systems to improve efficiency and product consistency. The facility also features a fully equipped kitchen and training center capable of hosting up to 20 participants, which will support ongoing training for both employees and customers.

The Grand Western Upper Midwest team will continue sourcing premium meats from trusted farms and ranches. The facility processes and distributes a wide array of beef, pork, veal, and lamb products under PFG’s recognized brands, including Braveheart, Ranahan Ranch, Contigo, Allegiance, and Piancone.

With next-day delivery capabilities to eight operating companies and extended service schedules on a weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly basis, the West Salem facility enhances PFG’s PFA consolidation program, which supports 42 operating companies nationwide.

“We’re thrilled to bring this level of innovation and scalability to our customers,” said Adam Towns, Director of Sales. “This investment ensures we’re ready to meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth opportunities while maintaining the exceptional quality our customers rely on.”

The grand opening took place on April 30, 2025, and welcomed customers, business partners, and community members for a firsthand look at the new operation and its cutting-edge features.

This development stands in contrast to recent plant closures by major industry players like Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms. Tyson Foods announced the permanent closure of its beef and pork plant in Emporia, Kansas, affecting 809 workers. This decision, influenced by financial pressures and challenges in the cattle market, is part of Tyson’s broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency.

Similarly, Perdue Farms plans to close its processing plant in Monterey, Tennessee, by late March, impacting over 430 employees. The company cited changes in market demand and production methods as reasons for the closure.

Georgia has become the second state to pass a law shielding pesticide manufacturers from certain types of lawsuits, specifically those alleging a failure to warn users about potential health risks.

The legislation, which was signed into law Friday by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, aims to protect Bayer from lawsuits that claim its widely used weed killer, Roundup, is linked to cancer. It more broadly applies to any pesticide company that complies with federal labeling requirements.

Georgia joins North Dakota, which enacted such a law last month as Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1318. At least nine other states have considered similar legislation this year.

Germany-based Bayer inherited Roundup when it acquired Monsanto in 2018. The company has since been deluged with lawsuits that hold Roundup’s active ingredient, glyphosate, responsible for developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Though 181,000 claims were made, around 67,000 remain outstanding, though Bayer did not indicate how many of those are Georgia-specific.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says Roundup is not likely carcinogenic when used as intended. Bayer still asserts the ingredient is safe but has phased it out of the residential version of Roundup. The agricultural formula continues to include glyphosate, although Bayer warned that ongoing legal costs could force its hand.

The Georgia law, which takes effect Jan. 1, won’t impact pending cases, such as a recent $2.1 billion jury verdict in favor of a Georgia man who attributed Roundup to his cancer.

The governor signed the law after receiving input from farmers and the agricultural community, spokesman Garrison Douglas told reporters.

Bayer has joined forces with industry groups in a national campaign to fight glyphosate lawsuits. Tactics include lobbying state and federal governments, appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court, and promoting glyphosate benefits on a variety of media.

The company argues that glyphosate plays a significant role in modern farming because it helps in weed management by reduced tillage, thereby reducing erosion and mitigating climate impacts. It also, for crops like corn, soybeans, and cotton, allows for the growing of genetically modified seeds that are resistant to glyphosate.