Regenerative farmer Joel Salatin announced that Donald Trump’s transition team contacted him to hold a position within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The news was shared on his website, thelunaticfarmer.com, on November 6, 2024. Mentioning that he accepted the position, Salatin wrote,
“I've been contacted by the Trump transition team to hold some sort of position within the USDA and have accepted one of the six "Advisor to the Secretary" spots. My favorite congressman, Thomas Massie from Kentucky, has agreed to go in as Secretary of Agriculture.”
Joel Salatin, 64, is a self-described Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer whose unique approach to farming has earned him diverse reactions.
With a background in competitive debate, 15 published books, and a thriving multi-generational family farm, Salatin draws on a lifetime of experience in food, farming, and philosophy to captivate audiences worldwide.
In his blog on the website, Joel Salatin remarked that if RFK Jr. were to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, it would be a remarkable shift, with him overseeing figures like Fauci and Francis Collins, challenging the established COVID-19 response. Such a change could significantly impact Big Pharma.
Joel Salatin added that if Elon Musk took on the role of Government Waste Czar, it would be interesting to see if he uncovered areas for efficiency. He pointed out that the annual U.S. income tax revenue is about $2 trillion. Yet, government spending has escalated to the point that even cutting $2 trillion would only bring it back to 2020 levels.
Joel Salatin said it was a ‘watershed’ moment.
As per the blog, Joel Salatin viewed this period as a watershed moment for critically examining long-standing issues in the U.S. and addressing key national concerns. He believed that the nation lacked knowledge of history, liberty, ecological systems, and health fundamentals.
He hoped this election could ignite a period of discovery. He suggested re-evaluating how negative elements like jails, pollution, and diseases are accounted for, treating them as national liabilities rather than assets contributing to GDP.
He also proposed ending federal involvement in areas like education, food systems, agriculture, and energy, arguing that the Constitution doesn’t provide for federal oversight in these sectors. Additionally, he called for closing foreign military bases, halting all foreign aid, and holding teachers accountable solely based on performance.
Salatin supported the idea of taxpayers having a direct say over which government departments receive funding, seeing this as a way to curb lobbyist influence and dismantle the K Street system, where he felt freedoms were commodified. For him, such actions represented straightforward steps toward reform, urging their implementation.
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Joel Salatin, a familiar voice on radio shows and podcasts, often offers practical solutions with spirited arguments for sustainable living. Known for his grounded insights and lively humor, his talks and writings stem from hands-on experience and a commitment to challenging the mainstream food system.
Salatin is a staunch advocate for small farms, local food networks, and personal choice in food sourcing. Today, four generations of his family share in the work and life on their family farm, continuing his legacy of sustainability and independence.
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