Wilcox to serve on state conservation committee

On April 20, the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Wildlife unanimously passed Gov. Kevin Stitt’s nomination of Jessica Wilcox to serve as the Area 1 commissioner for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for a five-year term ending June 30, 2031.

Wilcox will succeed Area 1 Commissioner Dan Herald. The motion will now go to the Senate floor for confirmation by the full Senate.

Wilcox serves as a director for the Major County Conservation District in Fairview, Oklahoma, and has served on the board since 2018. In addition to running a full-service crop insurance agency, Jessica and her husband, Clint, rotate crops, including wheat, canola, milo, soybeans and run a few head of cattle on their farm near Fairview.

Wilcox grew up on a highly diversified farm in east central Oklahoma producing corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, cattle, spinach, greens, sweet corn and other produce. After studying plant and soil sciences, agricultural business and agriculture economics at Oklahoma State University, she has worked to be the best steward of soil and water resources in her fields and beyond.

“The Oklahoma Conservation Commission is excited that Gov. Stitt’s nomination of Jessica Wilcox moved through the Senate Agriculture Committee,” said Trey Lam, executive director of the OCC. “Not only does Jessica have a great deal of knowledge on agriculture issues, but her service on the Major County Conservation District board and her involvement in conservation programs and community outreach make her an excellent fit to serve on the Conservation Commission. I look forward to working with Jessica to conserve, protect and restore Oklahoma’s soil and water.”

Dan Herald has served on the Oklahoma Conservation Commission board since 2021. He has also served as a longtime Texas Conservation District director and the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts’ vice president.

Wilcox will be sworn in as the Area 1 commissioner at the regularly scheduled commission meeting at 9:30 a.m. July 1, held at the Agriculture Building, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.