By Jessica Cox, ASU sustainable food systems graduate student
While on our Washington D.C immersive experience this spring 2024, my cohort of ASU Sustainable Food Systems graduate students had the pleasure of virtually meeting the newly appointed Under Secretary for Rural Development, Dr. Basil Gooden. In the room with us was former Under Secretary of Rural & Community Development and Senior Fellow at the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems, Mr. Bob Nash. Mr. Nash is an Arkansas-based consultant with an extensive career in the USDA, White House, and non-profit sector. It was an honor to learn from two educated Black men hailing from southern farming communities that have dedicated their careers to advocating for rural America, serving in the same role 30 years apart.
“Thank you, Mr. Nash, for allowing me to keep this seat warm.” – Under Secretary Gooden
Dr. Gooden hails from rural Virginia from a family of cattle farmers. He holds multiple graduate degrees in both Social Work and Public Health. Dr. Gooden has a penchant for community development work, experienced as a Cooperative Extension Specialist, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Chief Deputy Director, and the Virginia State Director for Rural Development. He then served as Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Director of State Operations for Rural Development before most recently being confirmed by the Senate to serve as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development in February 2024.
Developing Rural Communities
USDA’s Rural Development agency commits to providing resources and support to traditionally underserved rural areas facing economic challenges and hardships. They offer opportunities to build businesses, infrastructure, internet, and their largest portfolio—housing. Dr. Gooden recognizes the need for an economic foundation for addressing inequities. Under Secretary Gooden believes that “housing is healthcare,” and is necessary for building wealth, families, and communities. Under the Biden Administration and leadership of Under Secretary Gooden, Rural Development addresses several key priorities.
Climate Justice
Rural America is often exposed to significant environmental hazards and they have a more difficult time recovering from the negative impacts of climate change such as crop loss and natural disasters. USDA Rural Development works to mitigate climate change by reducing climate pollution and increase resilience by providing economic support to rural communities. Under Secretary Gooden emphasizes the importance of data collection, crop diversification, and access to fertilizer for supporting our food systems in rural America.
Funding & Economic Opportunities
Creating better market opportunities and improving infrastructure will help rural communities recover economically. Along with their partners, Rural Development works to incentivize investments and strategic engagement. Under Secretary Gooden champions the impact of the American Rescue Plan in 2020, which provided 155 million dollars to invest in the Healthy Food Financing Initiative to support fresh food enterprises, amongst many other victories. The Rural Partners Network is an alliance of federal commissions that assist rural communities in obtaining resources to support economic stability. Ten states now have people working with communities that have not been supported in over five years. The Inflation Reduction Act created opportunity for rural farmers and businesses to access grants that reduce operating costs and support investments in renewable energy. “They are practical,” says Under Secretary Gooden. If farmers and business owners can see the savings benefitting their bottom line, they will continue to support these programs.
Social Justice
It is critical that all rural residents have equitable access to programs and funding from Rural Development. Systemic discrimination is an area of concern for the USDA, which affects rural and BIPOC communities more than any other. Everyone deserves access to healthcare and nutritious foods. Under Secretary Gooden works diligently to create and support “a racially just food system that is fair and equitable for all.”
Both Secretary Gooden and former Under Secretary Nash have witnessed in their careers some public servants work to isolate the Black community, and other work to bring all communities together. Over their thirty-year difference between holding office in Rural Development, and a significantly greater span of work in rural and underrepresented communities, these men have become an inspiration for advocacy in the food and agriculture sector.
Rural Development believes in investing in future leaders to create a network of diverse professionals, such as the many USDA NextGen program scholars in our cohort at the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems.
This blog is part of a series from the Swette Center’s annual Food Policy Immersion, a required course in their two graduate programs. Students met with federal food and agriculture focused officials at USDA, the White House, and Congress alongside many other important influencers of policy in industry and non-profits.