Basil Gooden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Basil Gooden
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Gooden in 2024
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| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development | |
| In office March 4, 2024 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Xochitl Torres Small |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| 3rd Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry | |
| In office September 5, 2016 – January 13, 2018 |
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| Governor | Terry McAuliffe |
| Preceded by | Todd Haymore |
| Succeeded by | Bettina Ring |
| Virginia State Director, USDA-Rural Development | |
| In office May 14, 2014 – September 1, 2016 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Ellen Davis |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Walker Green |
| Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development | |
| In office May 22, 2002 – May 14, 2014 |
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| Governor | Mark Warner Tim Kaine Bob McDonnell Terry McAuliffe |
| Preceded by | Glenn Oder |
| Succeeded by | Erik Johnston |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Basil Ivanhoe Gooden
Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Spouse | Susan Michelle Tinsley |
| Education | |
Basil Ivanhoe Gooden is an American government leader. He has worked to improve food systems, farming, public health, and local economies in rural areas of America.
Gooden was the 3rd Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. He served in this role for the state of Virginia under Governor Terry McAuliffe. He was the first Black American to hold this position. From September 2016 to January 2018, he was the only Black American Secretary of Agriculture in any U.S. state. In his role, he helped guide Virginia's two biggest private industries: agriculture and forestry. These industries bring in about $91 billion each year for the state.
Before this, President Barack Obama chose Gooden to lead USDA – Rural Development in Virginia. This federal agency helps improve life and the economy in rural Virginia. Gooden managed about $1.25 billion each year for these efforts.
Gooden also worked for twelve years as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). He served under four different Virginia governors during this time. In 2017, he was chosen as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
In 2023, President Joseph R. Biden nominated Gooden for a new role. He was chosen to be the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. The Senate approved his nomination in February 2024. He served in this position until January 2025.
Contents
Growing Up and Learning
Basil Gooden was born in Charlottesville, Virginia. His parents, Allen Cortez Gooden, Jr. and Christine Shelton Gooden, were both teachers. His father was a school principal, and his mother taught home economics. Basil was the sixth of seven children.
He grew up in Buckingham County, Virginia. His family still owns and runs a cattle farm there, raising Black Angus beef. They also plant trees and work to protect the land. As a young person, Basil enjoyed sports and many activities related to farming and 4-H clubs. These activities taught him about growing crops and raising animals.
Gooden graduated from Buckingham County High School. He then went to Virginia Tech, where he earned a degree in political science. In 1995, he received a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University. He also studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, he earned a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in 1998. He joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in 1984.
On June 12, 1993, Gooden married Susan Michelle Tinsley. Susan T. Gooden is now a Dean and Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Basil and Susan Gooden have one daughter, Caper. She studied at the College of William and Mary and Johns Hopkins University.
Working for People
Leading Virginia's Farms
As Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Basil Gooden had important goals. He wanted to create more economic chances in farming and forestry. He also worked to help rural areas grow their economies. These plans aimed to help farmers and businesses grow. They also sought to increase Virginia's farm and forest product exports to other countries.
Under his leadership, the department worked to make industrial hemp a strong business in Virginia. They also partnered with other groups to host the first "Smart Farm" Summit. This event focused on using new technology in farming.
Gooden also helped expand international trade. He traveled with Governor Terry McAuliffe on many trips to other countries. They visited 17 countries to promote Virginia's agriculture and forestry products. Some of these countries included Japan, China, India, and Mexico.
Helping Rural America
In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Gooden to lead USDA – Rural Development in Virginia. In this role, Gooden was the chief executive of this federal agency. It provided about $1.25 billion each year to improve life in rural Virginia.
During his time there, he hired new employees to improve how the agency worked. They focused on delivering programs, reaching out to communities, and helping customers. USDA-RD helps build strong communities. They do this by funding projects that improve life and the environment. This funding helps create jobs, develop businesses, build community facilities, and provide affordable housing. While he was state director, USDA-RD invested over $2.5 billion in rural Virginia. This money went to housing, community, and economic development projects.
Building Strong Communities
Before his role at USDA, Gooden served as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). He held this position for twelve years. His main jobs included managing strategies, improving technology, and starting community projects. These projects focused on areas facing economic challenges.
Before DHCD, he worked at Virginia Tech. There, he helped with outreach and community relations. He also worked with Virginia Cooperative Extension. He designed a project to study community issues across Virginia. Gooden also worked as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman L.F. Payne, Jr. He was also a Legislative Aide for Senator Charles S. Robb.
