South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Secretary
Website: https://danr.sd.gov/ Social Media:
About:
Hunter Roberts currently serves South Dakota as the Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In August 2019, he began leading the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in its mission to protect public health and the environment. One year later, Governor Noem announced her plans to merge the Departments of Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources into the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) and tapped Hunter to lead the merger and the new department. Now operating as a single agency, DANR’s mission is to protect and preserve agriculture, environment, and natural resources through effective regulatory services, natural resource conservation, and financial and technical assistance.
He began his career in public service with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in 2007 as the Assistant State Energy Director. Soon after, he transitioned to the Energy Policy Director where he led the state’s efforts to promote business development in power generation, energy production, and clean energy manufacturing until the end of 2014.
Hunter then went on to serve as a policy advisor to Governor Dennis Daugaard where he worked on issues related to transportation, agriculture, energy, environment, land management, and outdoor resources. Most recently, Hunter served as the deputy secretary and director of labor and management at the Department of Labor and Regulation.
Through service, communication, collaboration, and hard work, Hunter strives to lead by example and truly believes in the power of a “can-do” attitude.
Hunter holds a master’s degree in business administration and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Dakota.
A South Dakota native, Hunter resides in Pierre with his wife and two children. He is a 5th generation South Dakota farmer and rancher, who owns and operates a diversified grain and cow-calf farm and ranch southeast of Ft. Pierre with his family.
