The U-S Senate Agriculture Committee questioned several of President Biden’s nominees for various positions with the USDA on Thursday.  Among those testifying was Alexis Taylor who has been nominated for the Under Secretary of Foreign Agriculture Trade position.  Taylor is currently the Director of Agriculture for the state of Oregon, but is a native of Iowa.  U-S Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.  Ernst says she has many items in common with the USDA nominee.  Ernst reminded the USDA nominee as to the importance of Iowa’s agriculture.  Senator Ernst did as the nominee about working with Ambassador Tai with the U-S Trade Representative’s office on specific trade relations with the Indo-Pacific nations.  Before Taylor can assume her duties at the USDA, she must first be confirmed by the entire U-S Senate.  That vote has yet to be scheduled.