One of my favorite quotes, “If you see a good fight, get in it,” by Civil Rights leader Vernon Johns. My work for rural people and places will continue, and wherever I am, please know that I will always be fighting for country folks and rural America! Thanks, and God Bless.
It's been an honor serving as Under Secretary of @usdaRD.
Thanks to all the state directors at USDA RD for advocating and working for rural America. I appreciate the time with the northeast directors last week. Keep up the good fight.
RD Undersecretary Basil I. Gooden, PhD retweeted
USDA staff and employees attend the USDA Veterans Day Wellness Walk and Observance at the USDA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., on Thursday, November 14, 2024. #PhotoOfTheWeek

ALT Dunbar High School JROTC presents the colors during the USDA Veterans Day Wellness Walk and Observance at the USDA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., on Thursday, November 14, 2024. The Wellness Walk was held to focus movement, not distance, around the USDA building followed by the annual observance of Veterans service to the United States as well as Veterans within the USDA.
I enjoyed sharing the successes and impact @usdaRD has had over the last few years. There is still much work to do to support rural America and I'm proud of our team and programs of the Biden-Harris Administration.
RD Undersecretary Basil I. Gooden, PhD retweeted
We're very excited to announce that Dr. @BasilGooden, Undersecretary of @usdaRD, will deliver a keynote address at #RuralTalks!
Join us December 3-4 in Little Rock, AR, to meet #RuralLeaders and maximize your partnership with LISC! lisc.org/ruralseminar2024 @RuralGov
Thanks to KOCO in Oklahoma City for the interview. We announced a $10 Million dollar investment in Sardis Lake Water Authority to make sure rural residents have access to clean water. Rural Development is proud to serve rural America.
Congratulations to the team @RD_SouthDakota on today's announcement. Coops and producers in six states, including South Dakota have Fertilizer Production Expansion Program awards. This program invests in rural American jobs and strengthens the economy. Congratulations.
Thanks to @keloradio for getting @usdaRD on with Bill for It's Your Agribusiness to talk about #Fertilizer Production and #RenewableEnergy. Check out the top of the episode at:
omny.fm/shows/its-your-busin…
Thanks to the team in @RDNorthCarolina for the tremendous work they do to expand housing access.
Replying to @BasilGooden
@BasilGooden participated in a groundbreaking with Housing Assistance Corp of Western NC. @usdaRD invested 150K to assist in the construction of four homes. This event concluded Gooden’s tour of western NC to meet with community leaders in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
RD Undersecretary Basil I. Gooden, PhD retweeted
“We know many areas impacted are still reeling. We know this effort will take time. USDA Rural Development will be here for the recovery.”
RD Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden was in North Carolina yesterday, touring the damage caused by Hurricane Helene around the Asheville area
RD Undersecretary Basil I. Gooden, PhD retweeted
.@BasilGooden is in Old Fort, NC listening to the community needs in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
This self-help housing project groundbreaking is a celebration of the resiliency of North Carolina. I appreciate the invitation to join you.
Proud to make this National announcement from Standing Rock Reservation. Rural American's opportunities expand when they have access to high-speed broadband.
Replying to @SRTelecom
@SRTelecom will soon install a new fiber optic network on the Standing Rock Reservation thanks to a $22.2M @usdaRD #ReConnect grant. The new network will serve residents in western Sioux County in ND, and Corson County, SD. Watch the announcement at youtu.be/2vlRN-_A82Y
I traveled with North Carolina State Director Reginald Speight to areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, including Asheville. We know the road to recovery is a long one. The team at USDA Rural Development is working with local government officials and partners to assist.
Congratulations to Standing Rock Telecom on this ReConnect award that will bring high-speed broadband to ranches, farms, businesses and residents in North and South Dakota. We are honored to make the National announcement impacting the Dakotas and eight other states.
Following Hurricane Helene and Milton it's critical that USDA Rural Development is responsive in the coming months. I want to thank the teams on the ground for their commitment to this work. We are thinking of all of those impacted.
RD Undersecretary Basil I. Gooden, PhD retweeted
Attention Single Family Housing Direct borrowers - The President has declared a disaster, which may have impacted the area in which your property is located. To obtain info, please contact a customer service rep at 1-888-796-0538 or TDD/TTY 1-800-438-1832. rd.usda.gov/resources/rural-…
Regional Food Business Centers support a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system by providing localized assistance, including linking producers to wholesalers and distributors. Thanks to AMS for inviting us to be a partner in this important work.
We are thinking of everyone in the path of this storm.
#Milton is an extremely dangerous, life-threatening storm. LEAVE NOW if you are in an evacuation zone; there will not be time to leave on Wednesday. Get help evacuating: floridadisaster.org/disaster… @fema
Ag producers balance an obligation to our families and to our impact on the environment. Producers take this challenge seriously and we are proud to partner to impact their bottom line through programs that help them convert to sustainable, reliable clean energy. #REAP
Today, the Virginia Tech 2024 GAP Report was launched with a convening of global Ag leaders. Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden joined them for a fireside chat on productivity trends and USDA’s role. #AgProductivity24
























