Inside how the USDA quietly powers housing, healthcare, and opportunity across rural America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Dave Martin
646-483-5898
dave.goodgovpodcast@gmail.com
New York, NY — April 4, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture may be best known for farming—but its real impact reaches far beyond the fields.
In a revealing new episode of The Good Government Show, former USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Basil Gooden pulls back the curtain on one of the federal government’s most overlooked engines of economic mobility—one that helps Americans buy homes, fund hospitals, and build stronger communities.
From providing home loans to families who have nowhere else to turn, to reopening rural hospitals and funding small businesses, USDA Rural Development operates as what Gooden calls “the first rung on the economic ladder.”
It’s a mission rooted in a simple but powerful idea: invest where the private sector won’t—and help communities build from there.
“Homeownership does so much,” Gooden explains. “It improves economic well-being, education, and stability in communities.”
The impact is profound. In rural communities across the country, USDA-backed investments have:
- Helped families secure affordable housing
- Reopened critical hospitals
- Supported economic transitions in regions like Appalachia
- Funded infrastructure and small business growth
And yet, much of this work remains largely invisible to the public.
Pull Quotes
- “USDA touches almost every aspect of our lives.”
- “We provide the first rung on the economic ladder.”
- “Government cannot address everything—but there are investments it must make.”
- “You can’t replace people with a kiosk or a screen—especially in rural America.”
- “Government makes a difference in your life day in and day out.”
The episode also tackles a critical challenge: what happens when government capacity shrinks.
Gooden warns that cutting staff doesn’t just reduce headcount—it erodes expertise, local knowledge, and the ability to deliver services where they’re needed most.
“Less people means less service, less help,” he notes, emphasizing that rural communities depend on trusted, on-the-ground relationships.
Still, the message is ultimately one of optimism.
Gooden believes rural America remains full of innovation, resilience, and untapped potential—if government continues to invest wisely and work in partnership with communities.
At its core, this episode is a reminder that good government isn’t abstract—it’s deeply personal.
It’s the home someone can finally afford.
The hospital that reopens.
The job that keeps a family rooted in their community.
And often, it’s happening quietly—without recognition.
The full episode is available at GoodGovernmentShow.com and on all major podcast platforms.
About The Good Government Show
The Good Government Show is a national podcast highlighting leaders and real-world examples of government working effectively. Through thoughtful, nonpartisan conversations, the show explores how good governance improves lives and strengthens communities.