Contact: Vanessa Beeson
STARKVILLE (Miss.) The U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary of Natural Resources and Environment is this years’ guest for the Mississippi States Carlton N. Owen Lecture Series. He is a native of Mississippi and the first African American to hold that federal office.
Undersecretary Homer Wilkes will host the Friday, April 29 public program titled Climate Smart Agriculture and Conservation at 10:00 a.m. in Tully Auditorium, Thompson Hall.
Dr. Wilkes brings a unique perspective due to his many experiences in coastal restoration and lands conservation. This perfectly aligns with this lecture series. His rise to national leadership in natural resource conservation is a model for our students. Mark E. Keenum, MSU President, said that it was a great honor to welcome him back to campus.
President Joe Biden appointed Wilkes as Undersecretary and he was confirmed in February by the Senate. His career spans over 40 years, including his role as director of the Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Restoration Division following the 2010 BP oil disaster. 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. For 23 years, he served as a Naval Supply Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Jackson State University gave the Port Gibson native his bachelor’s, MBA and doctoral degrees in urban higher learning.
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 forestry and agriculture contribute to the economic, environmental resilience and sustainability our food and fiber systems. The College of Forest Resources is proud to host Undersecretary Wilkes, our 2022 Carlton Owen Speaker. His years of experience in developing and delivering conservation practices and programs helps our forest landowners be more productive, sustainable, and profitable.
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 natural resource conservation issues.
Visit this site to find out more about MSUs Colleges of Forest Resources. www.cfr.msstate.edu. Visit the Forest and Wildlife Research Center for more information. www.fwrc.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University (MSU) is Mississippi’s premier university. You can find it online at www.msstate.edu