Harvey grew-up in the cotton fields of Leland, MS. Graduating in 1972 with only a future of field work before him, he suddenly found himself at Alcorn State College, now Alcorn State University. With a degree in agronomy, he became a County Agent and State Specialist with the Arkansas Extension Service. In 1997 he returned to Mississippi and the MSU Extension Service as an Extension Instructor and 4-H Specialist. For 38 years he led young and old to the offerings of 4-H. He took them into some of the largest ag industries in the country, Staplcotn and Monsanto here in Mississippi. He helped grow the MS 4-H Cooperative Leadership Conference, grew minority 4-H through the MS Minority Farmers Alliance, and Mississippi’s participation in the Southern Regional Volunteer Leader Conference, all helping to grow Mississippi 4-H into a leading 4-H program. His energy and smile were contagious. As
4-H grew, so did the number of volunteer leaders, and Harvey took the challenge seriously. With the state 4-H team he pushed leaders to excel and together they grew leader numbers and skills. The Mississippi Volunteer Leaders Association (MVLA) remained his first love. An award going to the outstanding 4-H leader of three years of service now bears his name. Though not a singer, he was the heart and soul of the MVLA Choir. On May 28, 2021, he passed suddenly from this life. His service was attended by many with numerous eulogies. There were tears but there was much singing, laughter, and many smiles…just as with most every day of Harvey Gordon’s life.
