A native of Leland, Mississippi in Washington County, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from Alcorn State University in 1976. He received a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education in 1984 from University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He did further studies at Mississippi State University and University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Mr. Gordon’s professional career expands 38 years beginning with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock, Arkansas and ending at the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Starkville, Mississippi.
In 1976, he began his career with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock, Arkansas serving in various capacities County Extension Agent – Agriculture in Monroe County, County Extension Agent – Agriculture in Crittenden County, and State 4-H Program Specialist. In 1997, he relocated to Mississippi to become an Extension Instructor and later 4-H Youth Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Starkville, Mississippi. He retired on December 1, 2014. Since retirement in 2014, Mr. Gordon serves as an independent agriculture consultant with Agriculture for Mississippi Minority Farmers and Monsanto, Inc.
During his professional career, Mr. Gordon has conducted over 100 workshops or in-service trainings throughout the states of Arkansas and Mississippi related to agriculture and 4-H and has authored numerous publications. He has deemed himself the premier expert in 4-H. He has served on various committees on the local, state and national level promoting 4-H including 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum Planning Committees, Cooperative Scholarship selection committee, MVLA Scholarship selection committee, Outstanding 4-H Agent selection committee, Lodging for State 4-H Congress, Liaison for Mississippi and Arkansas 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, Liaison to Arkansas 4-H Alumni Association, Governor’s Volunteer Community of the Year Selection Committee, Volunteer of the Year Selection Committee, and Arkansas Volunteer Coordinators Association Board.
Mr. Gordon is a member of professional organizations on the local, state and national levels including National Association of County Agriculture Agents, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, National Epsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, Mississippi 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, Arkansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents, Alpha Tau Alpha Honorary Fraternity, Mississippi Association of Extension 4-H Agents, Arkansas 4-H Alumni Association. Mr. Gordon is also a member of New Prairie Grove M. B. Church in Starkville, MS where he serves as chairman of the Deacon board, finance committee, and Sunday School Teacher.
In addition, he has received numerous awards, and special recognitions for his work in agriculture, community and 4-H including Twenty-five Years of Service Award from the National and Mississippi Association of Extension 4-H Agents and National and Local Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, Arkansas Horticultural Society Service Award, Distinguished Service Award from the National and Arkansas Association of Extension 4-H Agents, State Grand Champion Award for Participation in Penny Partners for Progress Event, Who’s Who Among American Young Black Men, District 4-H Promotion and Expansion Award, Monroe and Crittenden Counties 4-H Service Award and Kenneth Cook Mississippi Volunteer Leader’s Association Award.
He is married to Ruby Lee Gordon and they have three sons: Harvey, Jr., Christopher and Justin. They reside in Starkville, Mississippi.