The U.S. Department of Agriculture is gaining two new leaders—and agriculture trade is gaining two new advocates—with the confirmations last week of Steve Censky as deputy secretary and Ted McKinney as the newly-created undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.
The U.S. Senate confirmed both nominees last Tuesday evening.
Censky has been the chief executive officer of the American Soybean Assn. since 1996, during which time the industry has grown exponentially driven by expanded exports.
McKinney has been the agriculture secretary for Indiana and previously was an agriculture industry executive working closely with farm organizations including the U.S. Grains Council. His new position was mandated in the 2014 Farm Bill to promote better coordination between the agencies within USDA that touch trade and elevate the importance of trade within the U.S. government's activities.
Together, the two join a department deep in renegotiations of key trade agreements and leading a charge for more robust trade policy to benefit farmers.