Long-time USDA employee Homer Wilkes was formally approved by the full Senate for his nominated role of undersecretary for USDA’s Natural Resources and Environment mission area. In the role, Wilkes will oversee the U.S. Forest Service and several USDA conservation programs.

Throughout his 41-year career with USDA, Wilkes has continually demonstrated his commitment to working with local communities to implement conservation practices. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Wilkes indicated that his priorities include wildfire management and prevention, providing an inclusive work environment, addressing forest sustainability, and supporting and creating markets for wood products. He pointed to the Good Neighbor Authority, which can be used to increase collaboration with state forestry agencies. 

Wilkes is originally from the state of Mississippi and has spent more than four decades working with USDA in a variety of roles. Prior to his appointment to undersecretary, Wilkes served as the director for the Natural Resource Conservation Service Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Restoration Division. He has also worked as the state conservationist for Mississippi and acting chief of NRCS.

Wilkes has a history of directing engineering, natural resource and watershed projects and was integral in supporting the restoration of the ecosystem of the Gulf Coast after the oil spill in 2010.

The Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Wilkes on August 5, 2021.

“Dr. Wilkes will be an exceptional Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.” says Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. “Dr. Wilkes has had a 41-year career at USDA leading efforts in conservation, ecological restoration and forest management. I’m glad my colleagues confirmed him with strong bipartisan support. I look forward to working with him to restore and protect the health of our forests and grasslands.”

Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman, R-Ark., added, “For over 40 years, Dr. Wilkes has built a track record of cultivating successful partnerships and delivering sound land management practices. I believe Dr. Wilkes will bring that same approach to the role of Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. I congratulate him on his confirmation and look forward to working with him to help ensure our national forests remain healthy and continue to foster the growing wood products industry for years to come.”

The National Association of Conservation Districts commended the administration for nominating and the Senate for confirming Wilkes.

“Homer has always had a close working relationship with conservation districts and he brings a very valuable perspective to the Natural Resources and Environment Mission Area. He understands that voluntary, incentive-based conservation and forestry yield productive outcomes for producers and working lands,” says NACD President Michael Crowder. “NACD is thrilled to see him continue to build on that history and trust as he moves into this role. I am confident in the knowledge and experience that Homer Wilkes brings to this work, and NACD looks forward to working closely with him on forestry and conservation programs in the future.”

Wilkes holds an MBA and a PhD from Jackson University.