Arlington, Virginia
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture congratulates Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor on her nomination to U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
“I’ve known Alexis from her previous time served at USDA and more recently as she served as a NASDA member from Oregon. From these experiences, I offer my enthusiastic endorsement for her candidacy. We know Director Taylor’s passion for seeking market opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and food producers of all types. Her previous experience at USDA, her character and her deep understanding of how regulations across the globe matter for individuals in our communities will benefit all Americans,” said NASDA CEO Ted McKinney.
“I’m honored to congratulate my friend and colleague, Alexis Taylor, on her nomination as USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. It’s great to see a fellow member of NASDA take on this opportunity, and I know that her tremendous talent, experience, and knowledge of agriculture make Ms. Taylor well suited to thrive in this role and lead us forward in developing new trade markets for America’s farmers and ranchers. I fully support her nomination and ask the Senate to expedite her confirmation,” said NASDA President, New York Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball.
Director Taylor served on the 2020-2021 NASDA Board of Directors sharpening states’ impact on federal agricultural policy. Taylor also served on the NASDA Foundation Board from 2018-2022, developing and discovering new resources for state agriculture departments to better serve constituents.
In an interview shortly after Taylor was appointed to Director for the Oregon Department of Agriculture, NASDA asked her, “In seven words or less, what is some advice you would offer your fellow agriculturalists?”
Taylor responded, “Challenge yourself and others to think differently.”
“We know, as she has for Oregon, Director Taylor will continue to press U.S. agriculture to reach new heights and embrace new opportunities,” McKinney said.
Taylor helped pioneer the development of the NASDA Foundation Women’s Farm2Food Accelerator program, enabling budding women food and beverage entrepreneurs to reach new markets for their products. Participants receive training in marketing, product development, food safety, food packaging and more. Oregon hosted one of the original pilot programs for the Women’s Farm2Food Accelerator. Now, the program is administered by multiple states across the U.S., training 50 women each year.
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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.
