The Right to Repair movement, which is sweeping the country thanks to efforts by some of Green Century’s nonprofit owners and partners, helps people fix their devices. Our owners were instrumental in a recent settlement that supports American farmers who are essential partners in our communities and economy.
Green Century differs from other funds, many of which are owned by banks or corporations. One hundred percent of our profits belong to our nine non-profit Public Interest Research (PIRG) owners who are part of a larger network involved in state and federal work on behalf of our planet. The Right to Repair issue is a strong example of the critical work these groups do.
The Right to Repair movement focuses on making sure people have the tools, parts and information to “fix their stuff” – from computers to electric wheelchairs and tractors. When people can repair products, it reduces the amount of waste produced and dumped into landfills or burned in incinerators.
Modern tractors are highly sophisticated machines, helping farmers optimize their crop yields. However, these tractors rely on modern software tools for repairs and John Deere, the largest tractor seller in the U.S., has restricted access to these tools to authorized dealers. Deere’s monopoly on repairs has caused some farmers to wait weeks for minor repairs that they could have done themselves if they had access to the tools they needed. This has resulted in missed opportunities to plant seeds, and harvest crops in an industry where timing is crucial.
PIRG has been raising this issue to regulators for several years, and its research helped uncover the impacts on farmers. In 2022, PIRG brought their concerns to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) together with several Farmers Union groups.
As a result of PIRG’s work, the FTC filed a lawsuit against the company in 2025 for creating a monopoly for its repair resources that caused service delays and higher costs for farmers. This summer, the FTC reached a settlement with Deere where the company agreed to make the necessary repair materials available to equipment owners and independent mechanics for the next 10 years. PIRG will continue to work with farmers over this time to determine whether they feel their repair needs are being met and will engage the company and regulators if needed.
This settlement will give farmers more options on how to fix their equipment and get back to the fields to plant and harvest their crops. With these advances, farmers won’t have to pass along extra unnecessary expenses, which the FTC emphasized as a way to bring down costs for consumers.
This Right to Repair success is just one of the ways that Green Century’s nonprofit owners and partners help protect consumer rights, empower farmers with tools to work more cost effectively, and improve our planet.
— Frances Fairhead-Stanova, Shareholder Advocate