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.