I write as Ian XIlyana, a disabled veteran, botanist, and farmer deeply committed to the future of American agriculture.  I respectfully petition you to allow me to use my veteran disability benefits to travel nationally in support of the American Farmers Protection Act (AFPA), legislation I have designed to safeguard the backbone of our nation – the American farmer – from climate disasters while ensuring consumers access low-pesticide, low-hormone food.  Every American eats food grown by farmers, and the strength of our country depends on their success.  As one health expert notes, “Proper nutrition helps fuel your body” and “helps protect you from illness and disease such as heart disease, diabetes, [and] cancer” .

 If we abandon our farms, our children’s nutrition and livelihoods of farm families will suffer.   
I am a botanist with farm experience, and I offer my scientific expertise to help streamline local farms’ business models.  I can help farmers adopt sustainable practices and new crop varieties that thrive under stress without breaking their budgets.  With your support, we can restore American farmers to their place of national treasure, rebuilding healthier soils, more efficient infrastructure, and educating the public on nutrition and local food.  For example, like California’s Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act) requires warnings on foods containing carcinogens or reproductive toxins, our Act would mandate transparency about pesticides, storage preservatives, and additives in food .  Prop 65 already forces producers to warn Californians about known food toxins (heavy metals in fish, plasticizers in packaging, etc.) , so it is clear that labeling and reporting what’s in our food is both feasible and publically expected.   
The American Farmers Protection Act would guide the entire process “from soil to securing solid business contracts”.  It encourages wholesale agreements between farmers and customers to lock in fair prices, reduce costs for both, and build brand loyalty with stronger, healthier food.

 

 By emphasizing nutrient-rich, hormone-free American-grown produce, we ensure consumers get the healthiest options at a fair cost, while farmers enjoy reliable markets.  Healthy soil and smart farming lead to better produce, which in turn leads to healthier children and families.  (Indeed, U.S. dietary guidelines and medical research agree that diets rich in fruits and vegetables are linked to lower rates of chronic disease .)   
To bolster farm incomes and resilience, AFPA provides immediate cash-solvency grants and education in climate-smart agriculture.  We would steer farms toward climate-resistant crops suited to hotter, drier conditions.

 

 For example, plant breeders have developed drought-tolerant maize (corn) that yields 10–20% more under drought conditions than conventional varieties , and heat-resistant wheat strains like Australia’s “Sunshine” line.  Similar breeding efforts for crops – including high-value specialty crops and even cannabis – can produce varieties better adapted to heat or water stress.  This Act would include support for research into resilient hemp and cannabis strains, since cannabis cultivation already shows that higher CO₂ and moderate drought can increase active compounds (THC/CBD) if managed properly.  In short, we ensure farmers can choose the best seeds for tomorrow’s climate.  

 


Another innovative path is agrivoltaics – co‑locating solar power with crops.  This dual-use approach lets farmers earn electricity revenue and grow food.  USDA notes that agrivoltaics “allows farmers to maximize land-use efficiency, creating dual-revenue streams and building economic and environmental resilience into their operations” .  In practice, small farms have piloted solar panels over vineyards and crops to provide shade and reduce irrigation needs.  A recent Cornell study found that nearly half of farmers willing to lease land to solar panel developers plan to keep farming under the panels – essentially practicing agrivoltaics .  Indeed, solar panels can protect crops from heat stress, hold in warmth on cool nights, and cut water use.  By funding agrivoltaic installations (on farmland and in foreign markets through export programs), AFPA would open another avenue for growth for the American farmer.  For instance, a USDA-funded project in the Rio Grande Valley plans solar shade for grapes, saving water and improving yields .  Even globally, research shows that putting panels on just 1% of European farmland would exceed the EU’s 2030 solar energy goals – illustrating how agrivoltaics can be both locally and internationally transformative.  

 


We would also incentivize solar-powered greenhouses and indoor farms.  Cutting edge solar roofing and films mean greenhouses can generate electricity while growing plants.  A new solar film retrofitted on greenhouses “can dramatically reduce [their] need for electricity,” as one industry R&D leader reports, allowing a greenhouse “to basically produce the majority of the electricity they need” .  That kind of energy independence slashes operating costs and even lets farmers sell excess power back to the grid via net metering.  Reducing energy bills makes fresh produce cheaper and farms more profitable.   
Vexing Challenges require New Approaches.  I write from personal perspective too: as a veteran who survived military sexual trauma, I live with severe PTSD.  My service and hardships drive me to help fellow Americans in crisis.  

 

While PTSD limits my mobility, it does not stop me from contributing.  With your blessing to use my disability benefits for travel, I would commute (by text and one-way video) across the country to advise distressed farmers, coordinate relief, and build coalitions.  In the meantime, I pledge to respond to phone calls and messages from desperate farm families, acting as a liaison and advisor.  I stand ready to serve agriculture just as I once served our nation.   
Finally, this Act recognizes that veterans themselves make great farmers.  The USDA emphasizes that veterans’ skills – leadership, discipline, technical knowledge – “can immediately and directly transfer to the field of agriculture,” and offers veterans programs to become new farmers .

 

 By providing comprehensive training on our new national farming standards (soil health, reduced pesticides/hormones, nutrition-focused production, etc.), AFPA will empower a wave of veteran entrepreneurs to join the ranks of American farmers.  These trained veteran-farmers will not only contribute food and jobs, but will carry forward a message of patriotic service – that growing American food is as vital as defending the nation.   
Mr. President, the issues are clear and urgent: the health of our children and the survival of family farms depend on actions now.  We must declare that American-grown food is the best for our country.  I urge you to act swiftly – using executive authority and setting an example for Congress – to approve this petition.  Granting me the means to travel and champion the American Farmers Protection Act is a step toward securing our food supply and honoring the farmers who feed this nation.

 

 Together, we can ensure that farming remains a proud, viable profession and that every American can trust the label on their food (reporting all pesticides or additives per plans like California’s) .   
This petition is submitted with the utmost respect and urgency.  America’s farmers feed us all; let us, in turn, nourish their success.   


 

Sincerely,   
Ian XIlyana

U.S. Air Force Veteran (Retired) – Botanist & Farmer [Los Angeles, California]