— First things first: Scott reiterated that a hearing on climate change is at the very top of his to-do list. As for creating a so-called carbon bank at USDA, he said the hearing will help clear up questions about the department’s authority to do so without legislation.

— Next up, Scott is planning a hearing with Black farmers to “address the discrimination charges that are out there.” He also wants to bring in Agriculture Secretary-nominee Tom Vilsack, noting that much of the recent criticism was “laid at his foot.”

— As for the pandemic response, Scott said he talked to President Joe Biden about expanding vaccine access in urban Black neighborhoods and rural communities by distributing doses through institutions that residents know and trust, like local churches and schools.

Something to watch: A trio of Black Georgians will play key roles in deciding federal farm policies for the next two years, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out here. Along with Scott, Rep. Sanford Bishop remains the top House appropriator in charge of USDA’s budget; and freshman Sen. Raphael Warnock was just appointed to the Senate Agriculture Committee, where he already introduced legislation that would send pandemic relief to farmers of color.