Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE. Miss. The U.S. Department of Agriculture under secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, a Mississippi native and first African American to hold this federal position, is this year’s guest for the Mississippi States Carlton N. Owen Lecture series.
The Friday, April 29 public program entitled Climate Smart Agriculture and Conservation will be led by Secretary Homer Wilkes at 10 a.m. in Tully Auditorium, Thompson Hall.
Dr. Wilkes’ unique perspective is a result of his many years of experience in coastal restoration and lands preservation. This perfectly aligns the purpose of this lecture series. His rise to national leadership is an example for students. Mark E. Keenum, President of MSU, stated that we are proud to have him back on campus for this special occasion.
President Joe Biden appointed Under Secretary Wilkes and he was confirmed by the Senate in February this year. His 40-year career includes his work as director of Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Restoration Division, following the 2010 BP Oil Spill. He was also the acting chief of USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, D.C., where he held several positions, including those as state conservationist in Mississippi, chief financial officer for NRCS, among others. He was a U.S. Navy Reserve naval supply officer for 23 years. Jackson State University awarded the Port Gibson native a bachelor’s, MBA, and doctoral degrees in urban higher education.
Wes Burger, dean of MSUs College of Forest Resources and director of Forest and Wildlife Research Center, noted Wilkes lecture will address climate smart agriculture, carbon and conservation.
Burger stated that climate-smart agriculture, forestry and the environment are important to the economic and ecological resilience and sustainability of our food systems and fiber systems. Under Secretary Wilkes is the 2022 Carlton Owen lecturer at The College of Forest Resources. His years of experience in the development and delivery of conservation programs and practices helps forest landowners and producers become more productive, profitable, and sustainable.
The Owen Lecture Series was established in MSU’s College of Forest Resources 30 years ago by a Greenville, South Carolina resident and 1974 MSU graduate. The program focuses primarily on conservation of natural resource issues.
Visit this site to find out more about MSUs Colleges of Forest Resources. www.cfr.msstate.edu. For more information on the Forest and Wildlife Research Center visit www.fwrc.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is Mississippi’s top university. It can be found online at www.msstate.edu
