​​A Barbour County, Alabama native, Theodore Gilbert grew up on a farm. He graduated from Rebecca Comer Vocational High School in Eufaula, Alabama, and later earned a B.S. in Agricultural Education (Tuskegee University), a M.Ed. in Agribusiness (Alabama A&M University), and a Ed.S. in Agribusiness (Tuskegee University). Gilbert taught vocational agriculture and horticulture for over 25 years in Georgia. Later he became an Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) coordinator and county agent for Russell County, Alabama, and he retired from ACES in 2014. Gilbert enjoys growing fruits and vegetables, managing timber, and conserving wildlife and natural resources, among other things. He is married with two adult children.