Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Wilmer Bassett

Wilmer Basset came to Lake County as an assistant county agent in 1938. He organized and scheduled training for the Lake County 4-H Club Poultry Judging team that later won the state contest. In the spring of 1939 he organized a long weekend at Camp McQuarrie for swim team members to earn their Red Cross Life Saving Badges. He returned to Monticello after his father’s death to manage the family dairy farm where he continued to support 4-H at the state level.  Mr. Bassett supported 4-H financially, as a leader for advisory committees, and through the Florida 4-H foundation. Wilmer Bassett was a direct influence on the lives on many youth in 4-H and was a dedicated believer in 4-H until his death. He demonstrated this through a lifetime of personal and financial support. A former dean for extension said “As Dean of Extension, I benefited from Wilmer’s long time friendship, support and advice.”