Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Jennifer Sirangelo. I'm the CEO of
National 4-H Council and you're watching 4
for 4. The concept of these talks is simple.
We ask 4 questions in 4 minutes. And
today my guest is Deputy Secretary of the US
Department of Agriculture, Stephen Censky. Deputy
Secretary Censky is a wonderful 4-H
Alum and very proud of his roots and a great friend to
4-H. so welcome. I'm so happy to have you.
Speaker 2: Well, it's I'm thrilled to be here Jennifer. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1: Great. Well, we're going to jump right in our four-minute clock starts
now. So growing up you were a 4-H'er
in Minnesota. How did your 4-H experience
shape who you are today, and why do you think it's
important for 4-H'ers to have these experiences?
Speaker 2: I have to say Jennifer 4-H had a huge impact on
on me and really did shape who I am today. Obviously
the experiences of growing up in in
4-H being involved in a club that taught me leadership
confidence and really expanded
my horizons. I remember one
event in particular that was through 4-H. My 4-H club
really strongly encouraged our 4-H'ers to participate
in what is now known as the Citizenship Washington Focus
and it really just expose this
young farm boy from rural Minnesota to the
world that existed beyond their and really shaped
my desire to get involved in public policy.
Speaker 1: What a
great story. I love that. So as you look
back on your life journey, what or who really
help you to succeed?
Speaker 2: Well, I
have to get first of all I have to start out and give credits to
my parents Gladys in Harry Censky
were always so encouraging to me and
both for my sister and I encouraged us to get involved
and to try new things and experience more and I
think that's what you'll find that the 4-H'ers today. They
are encouraged by their parents. They're supported by their parents
and that is just such a big part of it. But I would also
I have to say and this goes back to 4-H as well.
The adult leaders volunteer leaders at our local
4-H club really encouraged us
as the 4-H members to try new things would
always give us and and talk us up and give us confidence.
No matter if we did only do maybe a so-so
job at first the encouraged us to try
again and that really gave confidence. And then lastly I
have to say our 4-H livestock judging coach. Ron
Carter taught us the value of hard work and
dedication we would have to get up and have practice
three times a week every day during the summer at
five o'clock am.
Speaker 2: Wow,
that is dedication. Well, let's shift to today.
So technology is influencing agriculture
in incredible ways. How are you seeing new
innovation advancing the industry?
Speaker 2: I
see it through precision agriculture, data,
sensors is really changing agriculture
today. We have of course mapping
of yield monitors where we know the more productive
soils in a field we can use planting
technology to give sub inch technology plant
the seed and plant just the right amount of fertilizer
right next to it and allows farmers to be more
productive and also to be more sustainable and cut
our environmental footprint in agriculture.
Speaker 2: So
4-H has been around for over 100 years and is
a signature program of USDA as you know well.
what are your thoughts on the mission of 4-H and why it's
still relevant today?
Speaker 2: First of all,
we're still going to need all of the leaders and I think
that's one of the big things is that 4-H teaches
skills and leadership. I love the 4-H
commercial and add about you're going to need me because
that is so true. Our world is going to need all of those skills
that 4-H is teaching the young people, but
I also go back to what I just answered on talking
about precision agriculture. We need soil scientists.
We need computer and data scientists. We need
lab technicians. We need mechanical engineers
in addition to crop and animal scientists. And
I think that's the wonderful thing about 4-H. It gives
that whole complete view of the person and everyone
can be involved.
Speaker 1: Deputy Secretary
Censky, thank you so much for this fun conversation.
It's been great to visit with you. This is 4 for 4
and we'll see you next time
Speaker 2: Thank you so much.
It's been great to be with you.
