Basil Gooden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Basil Gooden
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Official portrait, 2023
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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 the United States.
Gooden served as the 3rd Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. This role was part of Governor Terry McAuliffe's team in Virginia. He was the first Black American to hold this position. During his time from September 2016 to January 2018, he was the only Black American Secretary of Agriculture in any U.S. state. In this job, he helped guide Virginia's large farming and forestry industries. 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. In this role, he managed about $1.25 billion each year. This money was used to make life better and boost the economy for people in rural Virginia.
Gooden also worked for twelve years as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). He was first appointed by Governor Mark Warner. He continued to serve under Governors Tim Kaine, Bob McDonnell, and Terry McAuliffe.
In 2017, Gooden was chosen as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
On September 11, 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Gooden for the role of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. The Senate confirmed his nomination on February 26, 2024. He served in this position until January 20, 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
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 grow trees and work to protect the land. As a young person, he was very active in sports and 4-H activities. These activities taught him about growing crops and raising livestock.
Gooden finished high school in Buckingham County. He then went to Virginia Tech, where he earned a bachelor's 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 while at Virginia Tech.
Gooden married Susan Michelle Tinsley on June 12, 1993. Susan T. Gooden is now a Dean and Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. They have one daughter, Caper. She studied at the College of William and Mary and Johns Hopkins University.
Government and Community Work
Leading Agriculture and Forestry
As Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Gooden had two main goals. He wanted to create more economic chances in farming and forestry. He also aimed to help rural areas grow their economies. He worked to help farmers and businesses grow. He also tried to increase Virginia's farm and forest product exports to other countries.
Under his leadership, the department worked to support the growth of industrial hemp in Virginia. They also hosted the first "Smart Farm" Summit in December 2017. This event brought together different groups to discuss new farming technologies.
Gooden also focused on expanding international trade. He traveled with Governor Terry McAuliffe on many trade trips. They visited 17 countries and 23 cities. These trips helped Virginia's agriculture and forestry industries connect with global markets.
Helping Rural Communities
In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Gooden to lead USDA – Rural Development in Virginia. In this role, he was the chief executive for this federal agency. It managed about $1.25 billion each year. This money was used to improve the economy and quality of life for people in rural Virginia.
During his time there, he hired 26 new employees. This helped the agency deliver programs better and serve communities more effectively. USDA-RD helps build strong communities by funding projects. These projects improve life and the environment. They provide money for creating jobs, starting businesses, building important community facilities, and providing affordable housing. While he was state director, USDA-RD invested over $2.5 billion in rural Virginia.
Supporting Housing and Development
Before his role at USDA-Rural Development, Gooden was the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for twelve years. In this job, he focused on managing strategies, improving technology, and leading community development projects. These projects helped areas that were struggling economically.
Before DHCD, he worked at Virginia Tech. He was the Coordinator of Outreach and Community Relations. He also worked with Virginia Cooperative Extension. There, he designed a project to study community issues across Virginia. He also worked as a Legislative Assistant for former Congressman L.F. Payne, Jr. and as a Legislative Aide for former Senator Charles S. Robb.
