In an unexpected and bold move, the Trump transition team has decided to offer Joel Salatin -- owner of PolyFace Farm and advocate for regenerative agriculture -- a prominent advisory role within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Salatin, a staunch critic of industrial agriculture and a champion for sustainable, organic farming practices, has accepted a position as one of the six “Advisors to the Secretary” within the USDA, where he will work alongside Thomas Massie, the libertarian-leaning congressman from Kentucky who has agreed to serve as Secretary of Agriculture.
USDA on the brink of revolutionary reforms
The announcement comes on the heels of several high-profile political shifts. Congressman Thomas Massie, known for his consistent advocacy for smaller government and individual liberty, will bring his pro-liberty and pro-market approach to the agriculture sector. Massie has been a vocal supporter of the PRIME Act, which, if passed, would dismantle the monopolistic control of the industrial meat processing system, allowing small farmers and local processors greater freedom to sell their products directly to consumers.
“If we push through the PRIME Act, Big Ag won’t know what hit them,” Massie said. “This is about creating a freer, more competitive marketplace, not one that is dominated by a handful of powerful corporations.”
Salatin, a vocal proponent of localized, regenerative farming systems, is expected to provide critical guidance to the USDA, potentially influencing the direction of national food policy in ways that challenge the status quo. “Let liberty ring,” Salatin said in a statement, alluding to the potential shift in agricultural policy. “If the PRIME Act goes through, it would be the most significant blow to Big Ag we’ve seen in a century.”
For Salatin, the move represents a watershed moment, as he has long advocated for a return to decentralized, ecologically sustainable farming practices, which he believes are key to restoring balance to both the environment and rural economies. His philosophy promotes a revolutionary rethinking of how food is produced and consumed, mitigating the use of pesticides and herbicides, and focusing on the nutritional quality of the soil. His approach will also help put an end to the weaponization of the USDA against small organic farmers.
The Salatin-Massie partnership: A threat to Big Ag and Big Pharma
Salatin’s new role is part of a broader ideological shift within the Trump transition team, which, in addition to agricultural reform, is contemplating sweeping changes across multiple government departments. In his announcement, Salatin discussed his vision for a government that drastically reduces its influence on key sectors like education, food, energy, and military involvement abroad.
“Let’s ask ourselves: what if we eliminated federal involvement in education, from kindergarten to college? What if we put every teacher on the line for performance?” Salatin proposed. “What if we eliminated all federal intervention in the food system and farming?”
Salatin’s remarks reflect an underlying belief that much of the federal government’s intervention in domestic policy is unnecessary and counterproductive. Drawing on historical precedents, he argued that the U.S. could operate just as effectively without an income tax, as it did for nearly 150 years before the introduction of the Federal Reserve and the modern income tax system.
“During the time of tariffs, we didn’t need an income tax,” Salatin said. “The federal government was financed entirely by tariffs and excise taxes, and the nation thrived. What happened? We need to return to that model and reduce the power of the federal government to dictate our lives.”
Salatin also expressed optimism about the possibility of shaking up entrenched industries. He pointed to figures like RFK Jr., who, if appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services, would be in a position to challenge the prevailing medical establishment, which Salatin believes has too often been driven by the interests of Big Pharma.
“It would be the coolest turnabout in history,” Salatin said, referring to a potential RFK Jr. appointment. “It would invert the entire health system, giving us a chance to focus on actual health instead of pharmaceutical profit.”
Under Salatin's leadership, farmers across the U.S. will be given a template on how to restore their soil, use fewer toxic chemicals, and improve the nutritional quality of foods. The reshaping of American agriculture is necessary to combat the chronic disease epidemic.
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