(NAFB) – The Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday advanced the nomination of Dr. Homer L. Wilkes to be USDA’s undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

Wilkes currently serves as Director of the Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Restoration Team. He served as acting associate chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service between 2010 and 2012 and has over 40 years of public service experience.

Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Michigan, states, “Wilkes is a dedicated public servant and strong bipartisan choice to lead USDA’s efforts to restore and protect the health of our public forests and grasslands.”

Stabenow also noted The Natural Resources and Environment mission area is at the forefront of tackling the climate crisis.

Ranking Member John Boozman, an Arkansas Republican, adds, “Wilkes will bring the same qualities and characteristics demonstrated during his long tenure at NRCS to his role as undersecretary, which is exactly what is needed in that role.”