President Joe Biden this week nominated Dr. Basil Gooden to serve as USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development. If confirmed by the Senate, Gooden would fill the undersecretary position left vacant by Xochitl Torres Small, who was confirmed in July 2023 as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack responded, “Dr. Basil Gooden is a widely-respected, accomplished champion for affordable housing, community advancement, and economic development.” One of USDA’s seven mission areas, Rural Development helps to expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas.
Gooden recently served as a Visiting Scholar in the Sustainable Food Access Core of the Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University. From 2016-2018, he served as the 3rd Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Before that, Gooden served as the Virginia State Director for Rural Development at USDA.
