Photograph by Joe Mac Hudspeth, Jr. · www.southernfocus.com
News and Events
President Obama, Secretary Vilsack Announce Intent to Nominate Homer Wilkes as USDA Undersecretary
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Photo: Homer Wilkes with MDEQ Executive Director Trudy Fisher and Delta F.A.R.M. Chairman Mike Sturdivant, Jr. at the Delta F.A.R.M. 1,000,000 acre celebration last November.
President Barack Obama and Secretary Vilsack announced their intent to nominate Homer Lee Wilkes as Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“For nearly thirty years, Homer has worked for the Natural Resources Conservation Service where he has been dedicated to conserving and improving the environment in multiple states,” said Vilsack. “It would be a privilege to have a public servant like Homer join the USDA leadership team to help carry out President Obama’s vision of protecting our natural assets.”
Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) praised President Obama’s decision to nominate Mississippi’s current State Conservationist, Homer Wilkes, to the position of Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“President Obama has made a good decision in choosing to nominate Homer Wilkes for the position of Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Homer has been a faithful conservationist in Mississippi for many years, and I know the nation will benefit from his passion and commitment to preserving our natural resources.”
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the primary federal agency that works with private landowners to help them conserve, maintain and improve their natural resources. The Agency emphasizes voluntary science-based conservation, technical assistance, partnerships, incentive-based programs, and cooperative problem solving at the community level.
Wilkes is a 28 year veteran of the NRCS. He has served as a Budget Officer for NRCS in Amherst, Massachusetts, the Assistant Financial Manager and Fiscal Specialist for NRCS in Washington, and served as the Chief of Administrative Staff for the South Technical Center for NRCS in Fort Worth, Texas.
Wilkes is a native of Port Gibson, MS. He received his Bachelors, Masters of Business Administration and Ph.D. in Urban Conservation Planning and Higher Education from Jackson State University. Wilkes and his wife, Kim, have three sons - Justin, Austin, and Harrison. They presently reside in Madison, Mississippi, and are members of New Hope Baptist Church.