Florida 4-H Hall of Fame

Ben Campen

Ben Campen joined Alachua County 4-H at the age of 10. He participated in nursery crops, electricity, safety, and ornamental horticulture programs. Currently he supports 4-H through his generous donations and camp scholarships. Campen also helped raise funds to pay medical bills for a 4-H club member. He helps 4-H members by giving their families employment opportunities in his antique malls and real estate business. He has given thousands of dollars to the 4-H camping program and he will always be an avid supporter of 4-H. Campen has always been quick to show his support and respect for 4-H, and tells often how it builds youth character and leadership. “I learned through 4-H that a lesson ‘learned by doing’ is a lesson never forgotten. Thus I was able to reach new heights of achievement. I was then able to continually make the best of what I was doing, indeed better,” Campen said. He has tirelessly dedicated much of his life to serving civic organizations such as the Gainesville Rotary Club, 4-H, his church, and has conducted over 100 charity auctions raising over $1,000,000 to benefit worthy causes.