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Biden picks Alexis Taylor to fill key trade role at USDA

Photo courtesy NASDA

The Biden administration has announced its pick to fill a key trade role at the USDA.  The White House announced Alexis Taylor as their nomination for Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.  Ag groups welcomed Friday’s announcement and have pressed the administration to fill the role, which has been vacant since President Biden took office.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says Taylor is a collaborative leader with a track record of working toward large-scale solutions in partnership with the communities she serves.  The Secretary says she is the right person to lead the path forward as the administration continues to address global food security, promote American exports across the globe, and strengthen trade relationships with global partners. 

National Corn Growers Association says Taylor is the perfect person for the position.  NCGA vice president of public policy Brooke Appleton says Taylor has a deep understanding of agriculture, especially as it relates to foreign markets and is well respected by policymakers on both sides of the aisle. 

The American Soybean Association CEO Stephen Censky says her depth of knowledge about ag trade and public policy will serve her well in the post and US soy growers look forward to welcoming her back to USDA.

The National Association of Wheat Growers and the US Wheat Associates says Taylor has extensive experience and understanding of agriculture community and trade issues and will be an advocate for American agriculture around the world. 

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says Taylor has the right background and experience to hit the ground running and he looks forward to supporting her throughout the Senate confirmation process. 

Taylor, the native Iowan, currently serves as the Oregon Director of Agriculture and previously served as deputy undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Ag Services during the Obama administration. 

A graduate of Iowa State University, Taylor grew up on her family farm in Iowa and while still in high school, enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves. During her junior year in college her army reserve unit was deployed to Iraq, where she served one tour with the 389th Combat Engineer Battalion.

Taylor still needs to be confirmed by the US Senate, and many ag groups are urging the Senate to move swiftly through the process to fill the critical role for US agriculture.