Senate confirms Gooden as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development
February 28, 2024
BY Erin Voegele
The U.S. Senate on Feb. 26 confirmed Basil Gooden at USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development. Gooden was nominated to fill by the post by President Biden in September. He has served as director of state operations in the USDA Office of Rural Development since July 2021.
“The Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Basil Gooden as Under Secretary for Rural Development speaks directly to the results of his work in championing affordable housing, community advancement, and economic development,” said Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I have the fullest confidence that he will lead USDA’s Rural Development mission area with the energy and personal commitment he has demonstrated throughout his impressive career. Through prior roles, Dr. Gooden has been directly involved in so much that Rural Development has accomplished in every state under the Biden-Harris Administration, from expansion of independent meat and poultry processing, to connecting rural households to critical high-speed internet through ReConnect, to supporting investments in clean water, clean energy, modernized facilities and other vital community infrastructure. Dr. Gooden is a true asset at the People’s Department, and I look forward to continuing our work advancing and improving policies that benefit agriculture and rural America.
“I want to also thank Roger Glendenning, Chief Operating Officer for Rural Development, and Farah Ahmad, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, for their exemplary leadership during this time of transition,” Vilsack continued. “USDA Rural Development is in great hands with this team, and I know they will continue to surpass expectations in the months ahead.”
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USDA Rural Development administers a wide range of programs, including the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program; the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program; the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program; and the Rural Energy for America Program.
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