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Nominee’s Key Links:

Bio: Stated below

Resume or CV: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntracyjt/

Writing or Publications: US Educational Doom Loop PART 2: A Potential Solution

Website: https://johntracyjt.substack.com/

Video:

Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntracyjt/

Agency or agencies for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
Department of Agriculture
Council on Environmental Quality.
Department of Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Environmental Protection Agency

  • Organization name(s) and position(s) for which nominator feels nominee is best suited: Assistant/Deputy Director/Secretary for any of those above. Chief of staff of any of those would work too.

Policies which the nominator knows the nominee supports or in which they have expertise: See below statement
Nominator’s thoughts on what would make this nominee a valuable member of a future Trump Unity Government See below statement

I am honored to submit my nomination for the “Food and Agriculture” and “Environmental” , which aims to restore America’s food independence, strengthen our agricultural resilience, and prioritize the health of our soil and citizens. My extensive background in sustainable farming, environmental stewardship, and innovative agricultural techniques aligns directly with this vision, and I am committed to advancing practices that will revitalize family farms, support local producers, and contribute to the overall well-being of our nation.

As a farmer who has dedicated my career to sustainable and regenerative practices, a strong commitment to the environment, I am passionate about promoting practical, economically sound approaches to environmental stewardship. I have witnessed firsthand the critical need for a food system rooted in health, security, and resilience. Over the years, I have developed expertise in diverse farming systems, including hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, which enable us to grow high-quality produce in ways that conserve water, reduce the need for pesticides (in my case, NONE at all), and support long-term soil health. I am a strong advocate for urban agriculture, as I believe every major city should have a dedicated facility for hydroponic towers to reduce transportation costs, lower water use, and alleviate pressure on our nation’s farmlands, allowing time for the soil to regenerate.

  • Revitalizing Family Farms: I believe family farms are the backbone of our food system and our rural economies. I am committed to policies that support small-scale farmers, enabling them to compete fairly, thrive sustainably, and pass down their legacy to future generations. Redirecting subsidies to organic and regenerative farms will empower these vital producers and help stabilize our food economy.
  • Hydroponic Towers for Urban Food Independence: My work with hydroponic tower/vertical systems has shown me the profound potential of urban agriculture. By creating massive hydroponic facilities in major cities, we can reduce transportation needs, bring affordable fresh produce closer to urban populations, and strengthen food security for our citizens. This shift also relieves some of the pressure on rural farmland, allowing soil recovery through regenerative practices.
  • Regenerative and Organic Practices for Soil Health: Healthy soil is essential for a sustainable food system, as well as for the health of our citizens. I have devoted my career to soil-preserving practices that build resilience into our agricultural systems. I support the transition from chemically intensive methods to organic and regenerative approaches, which not only yield nutritious crops but also protect the environment and public health. As a steward of the land, I understand that healthy soil is foundational to all life. I am committed to regenerative agriculture techniques that enhance soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. These practices not only benefit the land but also support the resilience of our food systems and rural economies.
  • Sustainable Water Management: Clean water is essential to both agriculture and community health. I support policies that protect our waterways from pollution while promoting sustainable farming practices that conserve water through innovative irrigation technologies.
  • Clean Energy and Energy Independence: In my work, I have witnessed the benefits of renewable energy sources in agriculture, including short term solar-powered systems and energy-efficient greenhouses using sand batteries for heat to grow in the arctic and colder regions. I firmly believe that integrating these technologies can help achieve the energy independence goals crucial for both economic growth and environmental protection. Hydro, geothermal, and nuclear energies seem to be the best suited for long term use. Solar and wind have too many long term drawbacks
  • Food Safety and Health: I believe that a clean, toxin-free food supply is essential to the health of our nation. By reducing reliance on the most toxic pesticides and promoting alternatives, we can improve public health and reduce healthcare costs related to diet and pollution-linked chronic diseases.
  • America’s Next Cash Crop - Hemp: Hemp is a crop I strongly believe can revolutionize American agriculture and align perfectly with our vision of restoring food independence and soil health. Its rapid growth cycle, minimal water requirements, and ability to thrive without heavy pesticide use make it an eco-friendly powerhouse. Hundreds of studies show how hemp can enrich soil, prevent erosion, and replenish nutrients, making it an ideal choice for crop rotation. Moreover, hemp absorbs significant amounts of CO2, contributing to carbon sequestration efforts while offering diverse uses such as textiles, biofuels, biodegradable plastics, and paper. By incorporating hemp into our agricultural systems, we can reduce environmental harm, promote local economies, and create a sustainable future for American farming without having to subsidize corn and alfalfa.
    I share President Trump’s vision of slashing unnecessary regulation, redirecting broken subsidies, and focusing on policies that strengthen local producers, promote food security, and restore soil health. I am confident that, with these reforms, we can make nutritious food affordable, revive family farming, and restore our country’s agricultural independence.

Thank you for considering my nomination. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute my experience and insights to a vision of sustainable food systems that nourish our people, support our farmers, and heal our land.

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Let me know if any of you have questions or want to have a conversation. I am not perfect but I certainly love to hear from others how to improve things.

As for placement in the government. I would prefer a sub-department head or deputy spot because I do not want to be in the spotlight or at the “top”. I also dont want to have a incompetent beaucrat as a boss that will cut my legs off on getting things done. My goal and desire to to implement actual common sense policies and remove the rest… then get things “done” by going through out the country and talking to small farms and ask them what THEY NEED help with and how the government can help them.

We dont work for the government, the government works for us.
-JT

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Someone asked me about farming experience, SNAP, and sludge on soil. Here is my reply:

SNAP: Ive been off and on SNAP throughout my llfe so i recognize its importance. I think the program needs to be expanded with amount of money and more food items. Reasoning - Currently the people of this nation everyday are struggling more and more to just to feed their families, so until alot of those other areas that are draining everyones accounts are fixed… we should expand it and later we can cut back. Does that make sense? (If not, ill attempt to explain it better)

Farming: Yes. I am a “micro” farmer. I specialize it maximizing food and growth in very small spaces. I have experience in hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics. As for the blading sludge in to dirt. It depends on the type of soil. I live nearby wetlands that have alot of “sludge” and the soil thats underneath alot of my property is clay mud. If sludge needs to be removed from the wetlands… the clay would work good to put it on. Reasoning - alot of plants struggle to grow in clay, so its not very useful to larger farms. However, the bacteria and minerals of the sludge mixed with poop, straw, and other wastes from the barn stalls (horses and cattle) would actually over time begin to heal the clay soil and slowly convert it into useable soil.

One goal is to find ways to make waste into a useful product.

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The Forgotten Job Application: A Reminder of Corp/Gov Hiring Incompetence

John “JT” Tracy

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I’ve read your comments on other posts. You’re knowledgeable. You have my vote!

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Thank you very much! I appreciate the feedback, good or bad.

For everyone, this is a reply I did to someone regarding corn and its excessive use.

1. Environmental Downsides:

  • High Water Usage: Corn is a water-intensive crop, requiring significant irrigation in regions with low rainfall, which strains local water resources.
  • Soil Degradation: Continuous corn monoculture depletes soil nutrients, leading to soil degradation and a need for heavy fertilization.
  • Chemical Dependency: Large-scale corn farming relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, contributing to soil and water pollution and harming local ecosystems.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The production and application of nitrogen-based fertilizers release nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.
  • Biodiversity Loss: Extensive monoculture displaces diverse plant species, reducing habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife.

2. Economic Concerns:

  • Price Volatility: Corn prices can fluctuate significantly due to weather conditions, trade policies, and market demands, affecting farmers’ incomes and global food prices.
  • Subsidy Dependency: In many countries, corn farming is heavily subsidized, creating economic inefficiencies and market distortions.
  • Overproduction Risks: Surpluses can depress prices, leading to economic losses for small-scale farmers.
  • Farmer Dependency: GMO seeds are often patented, requiring farmers to purchase new seeds annually instead of saving seeds from previous harvests, increasing dependency on biotech companies.
  • Cost Barriers: High costs of GMO seeds and associated inputs can disadvantage small-scale and resource-poor farmers.
  • Market Rejection: Many consumers and markets, especially in Europe, are resistant to GMO products, limiting trade opportunities for farmers.

3. Social and Ethical Issues:

  • Food vs. Fuel Debate: A significant portion of corn is used for ethanol production rather than food, raising ethical concerns about prioritizing energy over food security.
  • Land Use Conflicts: Expansion of cornfields often leads to deforestation or encroachment on land that could be used for diverse food crops.
  • Health Implications: Corn-derived products like high-fructose corn syrup contribute to dietary health issues, including obesity and diabetes, when consumed excessively.
    THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH CORN.

4. Ecological Impacts:

  • Pesticide Resistance: Pests can develop resistance to pesticides used in corn farming, leading to higher chemical use and further ecological harm.
  • Runoff and Dead Zones: Fertilizer runoff from cornfields contributes to eutrophication, causing oxygen-depleted “dead zones” in water bodies, such as the Gulf of Mexico.

5. Climate Resilience Challenges:

  • Vulnerability to Drought: Corn is particularly susceptible to drought, which is becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.
  • Impact on Carbon Sequestration: Converting forests or grasslands to cornfields releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

6. Dependency and Over-reliance:

  • Feed Dependency: A large proportion of global corn production is used for animal feed, intensifying dependency on corn in livestock industries and amplifying related environmental issues.
  • Genetic Modification Concerns: A significant share of corn grown is genetically modified, raising debates over long-term ecological impacts and consumer health concerns.
  • Allergenicity: Genetic modification could introduce new allergens into foods, potentially causing allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
  • Long-term Health Effects: There is ongoing debate about whether GMOs have long-term effects on human health, as comprehensive long-term studies are limited.
  • Antibiotic Resistance: Some GMOs are engineered using antibiotic resistance markers, raising concerns about contributing to antibiotic resistance in humans.
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Here is a list I put together a while back of alternative crops to corn. Most dont need pesticides and chemicals.

Here’s the list of alternative crops to corn:

  1. Sorghum
  2. Millet
  3. Barley
  4. Amaranth
  5. Quinoa
  6. Teff
  7. Legumes (e.g., Chickpeas, Lentils, Peas)
  8. Cassava
  9. Sunflowers
  10. and of course…Hemp